Patriotism
 

            July 4^th is passed, but should still be remembered. A day to be appreciated. To pay homage to. To celebrate all that it stands for. That may vary with the citizen.

            For me it means to enthusiastically repeat the Pledge of Allegiance. It means to sing lustily the Star Spangled Banner, or God Bless America.

            It means to salute our flag, to vote and respect our President-whoever he/she might be.

            There are one or two things about our government that I don’t appreciate. Example: Our military scattered all around the world, and, our Congress refusing to compromise.

            But two things I really like and appreciate are, one, Social Security. As a retired person, I especially like it. Second, I like the system of regulation we have.

            Standards are established to create healthy food, safety in transportation and insurance for savings accounts. To name a few.

            Consider this. There are millions of people that are trying to get into our country. But very few citizens are seeking to leave. As I’ve traveled around the world scores of people have told me they would give ten years of their life to come to America.

            July 4^th commemorates the signing of the Declaration of Independence. The signers encouraged succeeding generations to remember it by celebrating the event.

            Through the years our citizenry has created various icons. Many cities (large and small) have parades; families gather for games and cook-outs; and of course, lots of fireworks.

            There is one thing that really appalls me. It is  the lack of congressional action on our immigration problem. The problem involves the illegals from both Canada and Mexico. However, legal immigrants from both countries have always added to our culture. In my opinion, the more that come the better off we are.

            Most of us are descendents from ancestors that came here from other countries. My forefathers came to America from Switzerland and England. For that I am grateful; that they were welcomed.

            Without question   the great migration from Europe in the 1800’s changed the course of American history. The influx of Irish, Italians, Germans, English, Scandinavia, Polish, Russian, etc. brought new cultures, ideas and energy to the U.S.A.

            The first symbol of freedom that most of them saw was the Statue of Liberty. And don’t forget Ellis Island.

            The Statue of Liberty is often described as a gift from the people of France to the people of the United States in recognition of the friendship begun during the American Revolution. 

            Frederic Auguste Bartholdi was the sculptor. The Statue was completed in France in July, 1884. It was reduced to 350 pieces and was brought to New York by ship. It was finally dedicated on October 28, 1886.

            Ellis Island covers 28 acres and was opened in 1892, closed in 1954. Between those dates over 12 million immigrants entered the U.S.

            From the ground to the torch the Statue covers 305 feet plus one inch. Before the dedication the poet, Emma Lazarus, was asked to write a poem about it. From her sonnet, New Colossus, a key phrase stands out and is inscribed in the Statue of Liberty museum. “GIVE ME YOUR TIRED, YOUR POOR, YOUR HUDDLED MASSES YEARNING TO BREATHE FREE.”

            May our patriotism always wave in tribute to our heritage.

Amen. Selah. So be I t.        

WORDS TO THINK ABOUT

G. W. Abersold Ph.D.