I don't believe America, on the whole, has lost touch with tradition. From celebrating birthdays, graduations, weddings, and other rites of passage, we continue to preserve the practice of observing and commemorating special occasions. We still celebrate Independence Day, Thanksgiving, and Christmas (as traditional days when banks are closed and the mail is not delivered).

Tradition maintains a people's identity, and Americans keep their traditions going   (by saluting the flag, by celebrating national holidays, by reciting the pledge of allegiance at ball games, by voting on election day and by protesting and exercising our right to voice our opinions, by anticipating the throwing out of the first ball of the baseball season, by holding our breaths when the clock strikes midnight on Jan. 1, and by acknowledging the freedom to practice certain religious rituals, and others of all kinds....). These are some of the ways we identify ourselves as Americans.

If by tradition you are inferring 'religion', then, well, as with some of the above outward manifestations of faith, Americans are still a very traditionally religious people. In fact, the faithful continue to adorn themselves with religious jewelry (rosaries, medals, prayer beads, crosses, etc),  and wear traditional garb and attire that identify themselves as the faithful. Freedom of religion is a cornerstone of American tradition.

You must remember: to be American is toalso bring the cultural history of one's people to the American fabric, therefore, traditions are built upon from 'the old country' and added unto the American way of life. In this way, tradition continues anew and is constantly being reborn. American traditions are growing and expanding as new citizens come to our shores and create new traditions that become a part of our long held American traditions...

So, what is American tradition exactly, except what we all make it out to be. Old ways continue, but are being interwoven with the new. These will become traditions for future generations.

We are still a people who hold on to our traditions, even as we change, and even as we create new traditions.