Indeed, there are so many different things: so many different cars, so many food brands. so many of everything. We go to a hypermarket or to a Home Depot or a shopping mall to buy some stuff and we realize it is not that easy.
We walk in the street and we hear English of course but also many other different languages such as Spanish, Korean, Chinese, Russian, and other East European languages, you name it.
But from a sociology viewpoint there is one unique characteristic that clearly differentiates the United States of America from the rest of the world: its endless search and admiration for heroes.
The American society is a society cherishing heroes. A fireman or law enforcement officer dies in the line of duty and it makes headline news nationwide and the community involved gives the fallen the funeral they deserve. American soldiers, dead or alive, are all heroes.
This search and admiration for heroes is one of the key reason the American society stays strong in times of adversity. This willingness to serve and make sacrifice for others explains why the US military can continue to maintain a strong military force and to be involved in wars far away from its homeland. This explains why people do not hesitate to defy the storm to save one life, to organize a rescue mission to free one POW.
Superman, Iron Man, One Million Dollar Man, Batman, the American culture loves heroes and superheroes. Becoming a fireman or a police officer is still a childhood aspiration to many.
America is many things to many people.
There are bad things and bad people but fortunately much more good things and good people.
Memorial Day is a reflection of this profound aspiration and admiration for heroes fallen, alive, or to be.
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