The Fourth of July in America is a day of remembrance, fireworks, Sousa music and beer. Celebrating out of country, I was lucky to have two out of the four. Along with a teacher and a fellow 12-weeker, we went to Rabat, the capital of Morocco, to celebrate the Fourth with other Americans living or working here.

We congregated at the American School in Rabat where the 53rd Utah National Guard Army Band provided musical entertainment including big band Sousa marches and some good ole classic rock and country. Our event was hosted by U.S. Ambassador Samuel Kaplan and his family. The pool was open for a quick swim before enjoying all-you-can-eat hotdogs, hamburgers, American candy and pop. It was the first time I’ve seen and devoured both Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups and Dr. Pepper in seven weeks. Ah, the taste of home!

While listening to the band and throwing a football around, it dawned on me that the American families here were doing just what families back home were doing — being together and celebrating the birth of a nation that affords us the liberty to decide our own future. We are blessed to be citizens of such a nation.

Observing the Fourth in Morocco is even more significant. Morocco was the first nation to acknowledge the United States as an independent nation and granted us safe passage to trade at their ports. They are the longest-standing ally we have – for 234 years to be exact. To have such a long-lasting friendship with a country is truly remarkable. Can we say that about any other country?

We have family, friends and allies we can all remember and be appreciative of during the Fourth. I think of my brother and sister-in-law and grandfathers, all veterans. They have all fought alongside our allies, such as Morocco, and beside their friends, for their families back home in America. While America means different things to its citizens, such as simply celebrating a day of remembrance in another country with other expatriates, to this citizen it means the celebration of freedom and independence.

Socializing and meeting new people from your homeland can be comforting when you are in a country so different and far from your homeland.

You reminisce about the things you miss at home and the latest news from family. I was fortunate to meet a native Nebraskan born in O’Neill and was so happy to talk about football with him and his wife. He has been working in Casablanca for four years but always comes out to celebrate the Fourth. Meeting new friends, sharing a bag of Doritos and listening to “Sweet Home Alabama” made it one of the most enjoyable Fourths I have had, even without fireworks.

It is comforting to know that at least for those few hours, it felt as if I were home again. That nice couple, whom I met at the party, extended a heartwarming example of kindness by giving me a lift back to the train station. I then felt like home was once again far away until I found a group of American students on my train back to Meknes. I realized the sense of home I missed was not only found in music and food, but also in fellowship amongst other Americans, no matter where they may be found.