Last night, before the thunderstorm, I sat in Grant Park, mesmerized by the fireworks being shot over Lake Michigan. Amid the claps and cheers that followed, I felt a certain sense of community with these people. Even though there were nearly one million people there.

Here we were, celebrating the beauty of our country. The country that has shaped who we are, and what we will do. For a moment, we could forget that we are fighting a war that most of us don’t believe should be happening. For a moment, we could forget our differences.

And no matter how many times I may complain about the situation Muslims are in the United States, I can always take some time to be grateful for everything I have because of being here.

And we have to remember, I think, that being patriotic is not the same as declaring America perfect. I love this country and its people, and that is why I fight. I love this country enough to have the need for it to be better than what it is right now.