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Back in 1976, during America's 200th birthday — the Bicentennial — I was just a spud while my parents were adventurously living in Alaska. That milestone hummed along quietly in the background of our frontier life. Now, in 2026, we have arrived at our nation's 250th anniversary, and it has me reflecting on what true patriotism means.
As someone who spends his days walking into city halls, I get to see a beautiful version of the American spirit — one that is authentic and deeply grounded in community.
True patriotism isn’t confined to a distant capital. It is found right in our backyards. It’s in city staff who ensure that the water turns on, the streets are safe and the trash gets picked up. It is in the elected officials who work tirelessly to solve problems on behalf of their residents. And it is in the residents who take pride in engaging in civic duty.
City halls are where democracy does its day-to-day work. When we focus on making our hometowns better, we are actively strengthening our civic culture and America. Waving a flag is a nice tradition, but rolling up your sleeves to engage at the local level is how we keep the real spirit of our nation thriving. Our country is built by local communities.
This year, let’s celebrate this big milestone by appreciating the local infrastructure and the dedicated neighbors who keep our communities running. Because at the end of the day, making your community a better place to call home is the most patriotic act of all.
Happy 250th,
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