As America celebrates its 250th birthday, I’ve thought long about what it means to be a citizen and a patriot. I found my answer in our area’s labor history.

129 years ago, roughly 400 miners — many of them Eastern European immigrants — marched to Lattimer, a town outside Hazleton, to support the newly formed UMW. They waved an American flag above them to show their support for the nation. When Luzerne County Sheriff James Martin and his posse confronted them and attempted to wrestle the flag from their hands, a scuffle broke out, and at least 19 unarmed miners were killed.

Ronald Reagan said, “ … anyone, from any corner of the Earth, can come to live in America and become an American.” For centuries, people have come to our shores chasing the American dream, only to find it unachievable just by being in America. They found it by striving towards ideals cemented in our nation’s founding. Being a citizen of the United States of America means fighting for a “more perfect union” and advancing the notion that “all men are created equal.”

In 1897, being an American meant having the right to stand up to corporations and demand a square deal. Citizenship today is often taken for granted. Patriots do not just profess love for their nation or have the biggest fireworks display. It is a commitment to active participation in the great American tradition of self-governance; a democracy of the people, by the people, and for the people.

So whether that is going to a protest, writing a letter to your representative, or having a respectful discussion with someone with different views, take advantage of the rights — really privileges — that citizenship confers upon you. As they did 129 years ago, let us again wave the flag high — with pride — while demanding better from those who lead us.

Stephen A. Behun IV

Tamaqua