He never gives up; he’s always there
Fighting for freedom over land and air …

Today, as the new G.I. Joe movie premieres in theaters across the world, Overthinking It takes a moment to honor our favorite real (fake) American heroes. These men and women, through fictional heroism and quiet devotion, inspired us to believe in our country. Whether depicted in movies, or TV shows, or comic books, they were the cultural embodiment of a literal ideal.

Join us today in saluting these Real (Fake) American Heroes.

As we approach this holiest of America’s fireworks-oriented days off from work, I’d like to talk a bit about how much I love my country.

My parents used to take me to the 4th of July parade in our New Jersey town. I thought I loved my country then.

At the fireworks later that night, everyone would talk about the “grand finale” — when was the “grand finale?” I thought I loved my country then.

But when I was 15 years old, again on the 4th of July, I truly learned to love my country.

Because on that day, at the Warner Quad in Ridgewood, NJ, in the company of a friend with the patriotic and appropriate last name of Hancock, I first saw Independence Day.

Here are the top 10 things I learned that day that I would never forget.