A bit of background on this article:Bob Swanson, full-time RVer who winters at Rockport 35 RV Park with his swife Kathy, sent the "I am an American" note below. He suggested that others email their stories.
Allison picked up the challenge and added a bit of her American history, along with Tony's.
These are great American Fourth of July stories. I thank them for writing them and trust they do not mind them being published for all the world to read.
And you, of course, can do the same!
From Bob Swanson:
My father's parents immigrated from Sweden, learned English and became Americans.My father was born in America and died here, he was an American.My mother's parents trace their heritage back many generations from many different countries, they were all Americans either by birth or by legal immigration.I am NOT a Swedish-American, I am an American; I am not a many different countries-American,I am an American.So apparently those who chose to call themselves African-American, Asian-American, etc. etc are NOT 100% Americans.As a 100% American, I know America was founded on Judea-Christian laws and principals. I am proud and happyto see God's name on MY public buildings, the money I use, and the use God's name in public affairs, ceremonies and all things American. I am happy to place America as "one nation under God" when I pledge allegiance to my flag and I believe memorials containing references to God, whether they be state or federal, are right and no one, including the Supreme Court, has the right to remove or in any way change those references such as crosses, the Ten Commandments, or any other reference to God. I believe prayers should be said by those who wish to do so at all public functions including schools and especially government functions.I am an American.Robert A. SwansonI hope you forward this to others: Add your own statement of heritage, if you wish. I would like to read yours.
From Allison
I am proud to be an American.
My father was actually German and Irish but he loved to laugh with a twinkle in his eye and recite, "I'm Welsh, Irish, Dutch, German, French..........and on and on. He was very proud to be part of this melting pot called The United States of America.
My mother was English and Indian--sometime I heard French and Indian. She was an orphan so searched for her roots. Her mother had heritage in the Blackfoot tribe in Montana.
Tony's grandparents came through Ellis Island. They were so proud to be American. Tony says his father would never have called himself an Italian-American nor participated in any organization that focused on ethnic differences--Tony never would either--He is American! period.
I am saddened by the lack of knowledge Americans have of their heritage and the heroics that God used to make this nation great. God says, in Scripture: "My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge." (Hosea 4:6) I'm afraid that is a valid description of the United States for history forgotten is bound to be repeated.
Saturday (July 4) we will host a TEA Party. We carry signs, will proudly salute the flag, sing patriotic songs and pray for our nation in Jesus' Name.
Allison
Every Day...Every Minute...
Every breath is a Gift from God!
My father was actually German and Irish but he loved to laugh with a twinkle in his eye and recite, "I'm Welsh, Irish, Dutch, German, French..........and on and on. He was very proud to be part of this melting pot called The United States of America.
My mother was English and Indian--sometime I heard French and Indian. She was an orphan so searched for her roots. Her mother had heritage in the Blackfoot tribe in Montana.
Tony's grandparents came through Ellis Island. They were so proud to be American. Tony says his father would never have called himself an Italian-American nor participated in any organization that focused on ethnic differences--Tony never would either--He is American! period.
I am saddened by the lack of knowledge Americans have of their heritage and the heroics that God used to make this nation great. God says, in Scripture: "My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge." (Hosea 4:6) I'm afraid that is a valid description of the United States for history forgotten is bound to be repeated.
Saturday (July 4) we will host a TEA Party. We carry signs, will proudly salute the flag, sing patriotic songs and pray for our nation in Jesus' Name.
Allison
Every Day...Every Minute...
Every breath is a Gift from God!
From Keith Williams
I, too, am an American!
Heritage-wise, I am a pure "half-breed"—exactly 50% Welsh and 50% Norwegian.
My Williams great-grandparents came from northern Wales. One set from the island of Angelsy and the other form near Mount Snowdon. I have had the good fortune to visit both areas.
My Austin (changed from the traditional Austinson, or in my case, Oleson) great-grandparents came from Norway. And I have spent one night in Oslo, where I attended a concert in a great concert hall. I don't know much about them but believe they came directly from Norway to southern Minnesota.
One of my great-grandfathers never learned English, I am told. At the time, Lime Springs was a "Welsh ghetto" so he probably felt little need to learn a new language. And my father didn't speak English until his older sister started going to school. But having switched to English at the age of three or four, he forgot most of his Welsh and could not converse in it.
But I have to believe these folks worked hard to be Americans and never looked back. I've heard not a word about even one of my great-grandparents or even grandparents returning to "the old country" even for a visit.
America has always welcomed those who, well, want to be AMERICANS. It appears that a good number of recent arrivees have little interest in becoming Americans. It's not clear to me why they bothered to come.
Do you suppose it is because of the opportunities that we offer?
Or the liberties that we enjoy? (Yes, there are some left.)
Or the "free money" through subsidies, health care, education, etc., that we seem all to willing to provide?
Probably some of each.
But I'm concerned. I grew up in the America of Ike and Goldwater and Kennedy and Regan. That's the America which I thought I was part of, and would like to be again. Clearly, those of us who long for that type of America again must become more vocal in exercising our freedom to speak out.
Keith
From Julee Crever
Several years ago we were staying with friends at their cabin in Wisc.[a very common activity here in the midwest]. The 6 of us decided to go to the local Indian casino for dinner and some entertainment. I had on a purple knit top with colorful beading in a large v across the front,with jeans.
Out of the clear blue sky, this gentleman there who was Indian said, "Why you dressed like native American?"
It totally caught me so off guard, I was speechless [unheard of for me]. I stammered a bit and out popped, "Because I am!"
I still get upset and offended when I think of that episode.....excuse me, I am just as American as you are and take unending pride in that fact.
My grandfather came from Norway when he was 17, knowing he would never see his family over there again. He told me he came here because this was the "land of Milk & Honey", what courage.
On the other side of my family my grandmother left her family at age 17 to sail here for a chance at a better life. In Scandinavia, the family farm just kept getting diced up as each new family member reached adulthood & they were truly literally running out of land for everyone. This grandma worked until age 76 running the laundry at a large Baptist hospital here in St.Paul. They were eager to learn English as they felt embarrassed using their own native tongue in public.
Our oldest granddaughter just turned 17 in June and I cannot even imagine her sailing off somewhere [getting on a space ship for Mars] never to be seen again. Brave people.
Have a wonderful weekend celebrating our countrys' birthday.
Julee
Who's next? Email your "I am an American" story to: kaw@syntheticsaves.com
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