Being an American

I am 38-years-old and I do not believe I fall into the baby boomer or genX category when we talk “generations”. I am a proud descendant of Polish, Ukrainian and Austrian immigrants who came to America to give their families a better way of life. To live and work hard in a country they believed in. For all that America stands for that’s why they came here.

I was taught to honor the flag by saying the Pledge of Allegiance every day at school, say my prayers before I go to bed, go to Church on Sunday, and to treat people the way you want them to treat you. Pretty simple rules to live by, I think.

It is very disappointing that in such a short time between my childhood, and having a family of my own, so many things have changed. The flag is not honored in our public schools anymore, along with prayer. Church attendance has dropped. And people have become so greedy and selfish, that it doesn’t matter how you treat people, just as long as you get one car ahead on the freeway. The more materialistic you become the more you are respected…

There are many Americans that fly the American flag on every holiday it is called for. Some even fly it every day, and take it down at dusk, gently folding it, making sure it does ‘not’ touch the ground, so it will be ready for the next morning. Some of these same ‘Americans’ have been doing this for over 70 years or more. Those hands have become fragile and arthritic. These hands are tired. These hands have done their work time and time again. They are now passing the honor to our generation. To take the flag, honor her the way she deserves, and protect what she stands for.

This generation of Americans are whom we ‘OWE’ what we have to; the ones who sacrificed to secure freedom in America, the ones who have the right to say “ I have earned freedom”. They earned it over 70 years ago starting with WWI and The Great Depression in 1929. They earn it every time they look at the pictures; so proudly placed on the wall, of the child who never came back from war. They earn it every time they raise ‘Old Glory’ proudly so she can watch over our land.

They earn it every time they see the seasons change. They earn it every time they look at limbs that are missing; they earn it every time they have nightmares of fox holes and dead brothers that they had to leave behind; they earn it every time they look into their children’s; grandchildren’s; and for some great-grandchildren’s eyes.

These Americans are the ones we owe our FREEDOM to, and it is now our generations time to stand up and earn it, to take a stand together! To make sure that the generations that have come before us understand that the legacy they leave behind is well in tact. That what they sacrificed for, and what their families sacrificed for, is and always will be alive and well in America!

As of September 10, 2001, I had experienced the first life-changing event, of many to come. I had a chance to meet some of these very special people. Up close and personal. A one on one history lesson if you will. And to thank them for giving me the freedom we all so enjoy.

I met, Heroes like Woody Eugene James, Florian Stamm, Harlan M Twible, Mike Kuryla, Roy Owen, and Buck Gibson. In four days these men, along with their shipmates, went from delivering key components for the atomic bomb to the Island of Tinian, that would end World War II, to floating in shark-infested waters for 4 days, alone and seemingly forgotten by everyone. I had the honor to meet Retired Brigadier General Paul W. Tibbets – Pilot of the Enola Gay, who so bravely served his country and released the Atomic bomb on Hiroshima. And LCDR Retired USNR L. Peter Wren – Captain of the USS Bassett who along with his crew recovered 152 of the 317 survivors of the USS Indianapolis.

And Charles Buttler McVay IV – Son of Charles Buttler McVay III, who took command of the Indianapolis in November 1944, Captain McVay III was later to be court-martialed for the events leading to the sinking of the USS Indianapolis, and eventually took his own life due to the guilt put upon him that was not justified.

I am a proud niece of a sailor William Solomon Jr, Seaman 2nd Class, who was aboard the USS Indianapolis. At the age of 16, he left his family to protect our country, but he never made it home. I never met my uncle, but felt somewhat drawn to him and ‘his’ time in history. I never knew just why, until September 11th, 2001 8:46 EST, the second life changing event for me, it all became so clear.

For our children, the victims of September 11, 2001, and our fathers and grandfathers. It is time to take our place in history. Time to secure what has been given to us. Time to embrace the torch of history and run with it. To assure that what was gained, is never compromised. Not by another country, and definitely not by an evil force of nature that calls itself a “religious man”, yet does not come close to the meaning of the word, not in any language used to describe it. We will prevail, we will secure what America stands for and we will do it with the greatest dignity that the world has ever seen.

I have no doubt that this country I love so much, will stand together and do the right thing. Deep down inside all of us is the seed of freedom that was planted years ago. The day our ancestors first laid eyes on Lady Liberty. Holding the torch of promise, hope, and freedom. GOD Bless America and GOD bless us all.

Sincerely,
Kathleen E. Miller (Solomon)
Proud niece of William Solomon Jr. S2C, USS Indianapolis
Proud member of the Second Watch
USS Indianapolis – “Lost, but never forgotten”

The following are brief excerpts of the speech former President Regan gave at the “Westminster College Cold War memorial in 1990”. I found these words to be inspirational in the light of the current events:

“For years it had been suggested by some opinion-makers that all would be well in the world if only the United States lowered its profile. Some of them would not only have us lower our profile -- they would also lower our flag. I disagreed. I thought that the 1980's were a time to stop apologizing for America's legitimate national interest, and start asserting them.”….
“Some may call this mysticism if they will, but I cannot help but feel that there was some divine plan that placed this continent here between the two great oceans to be found by people from any corner of the earth -- people who had an extra ounce of desire for freedom and some extra courage to rise up and lead their families, their relatives, their friends, their nations and come here to eventually make this country.”…
“The truth of the matter is, if we take this crowd and if we could go through and ask the heritage, the background of every family represented here, we would probably come up with the names of every country on earth, every corner of the world, and every race. Here, is the one spot on earth where we have the brotherhood of man. And maybe as we continue with this proudly, this brotherhood of man made up from people representative of every corner of the earth, maybe one day boundaries all over the earth will disappear as people cross those boundaries and find out that, yes, there is a brotherhood of man in every corner.”…

In GOD we trust

Since the big uproar of the “Pledge of Allegiance” issue a little while ago, I have been hearing little things here and there about the term, IN GOD WE TRUST. I have a few things to say, and for others to consider about this issue. I can’t stand it anymore; I need to voice my opinion. After all, this is America, isn’t it?

I am 36 years old and come from a time when, Mom stayed home; Dad was always working to keep a roof over our head, food in our mouths and clothes on our backs. One thing I remember from those times is that there was always ONE thing that kept us all together. ONE thing that made us think twice when choices were put in front of us. ONE thing to believe in, when all else failed. That was our “GOD”.

My GOD may not be the same as someone else’s. And perhaps others didn’t even have a GOD, and that is their choice, mind you, this is America right? But we all went to PUBLIC school together, and we ALL said the pledge of allegiance. And we all had a great education. No one complained. No one made it a media circus and no one tried to change something that stands for America.

As far as I am concerned, if you reside in this country then the constitution and the laws all apply to you. Lets just say the word ‘GOD’ is an American term. How is that? Would that make everything better for the few who are too lazy to explain to their children their beliefs at home and how to apply them in society? The one thing that is lacking in a huge population of kids today, IS RELIGION. SOMETHING to believe in! Something, that brought the family together no matter what.

With all that said. If you are offended by the term ‘In GOD we trust’ go back to the country you came from. Give all your money with the ‘term’ printed on it away. All the material objects bought with that you might as well give away too. You must back your claim in full, not just half way.

Learn that there are much more offensive issues in America such as the way are children are being exposed to advertisements that are less than appropriate to be shown on T.V. The way music is teaching our children that it is funny to abuse women and call them a ‘Hoe’. The list goes on. So take a good look at your children, in your own home and correct the issues there first. They know where they come from, and the Pledge of Allegiance, does not offend ‘them’. You are teaching them that it is ‘your’ way or no way. That… is NOT America.

IndyGirl ~ In GOD *I* Trust

As Americans

As Americans we have the right to our opinions. We have the right to protest against the war. We have the right to support the war. But we have an OBLIGATION to SUPPORT OUR TROOPS. You do not have to agree with the decision, or like it. But concentrate your efforts on supporting the troops and their families. These soldiers have a wealth of training and experience as opposed to the 16 year old that fought in WWII with little to no training. Read up on American History. As an American you are not born into freedom by chance. You are born into freedom because others have earned it for you! Stop being selfish and greedy. Stop proving to the world that Americans are this way. Are we only supportive when we are struck by a 9/11 attack? Be American all the time. Not just when it is convenient for you. Let our troops know we support them. Because focusing on Anti-War rallies only send them the wrong message.

If you feel you have to protest, perhaps a sign that states, "We may not support war, but we support our troops". Closing down cities and intersections only hinder our troubled economy.

And if you feel so strongly about stopping the war, go to France, where bleeding hearts with rose colored glasses seem to think it takes a tyrant more than 12 years and abusing NATO to comply.

This is a classic example magnified, of how our children are being raised today.. "No consequences for their actions"

GOD Bless the USA, Great Britain and the troops who are keeping your freedom safe and intact for the future, so that YOU don't have to do it.

Poem

To My Uncle
One young boy, drawn to the cause
To instill our freedom, without pause.

He left his home, for the great unknown
For bravery and freedom, he had shown.

His destiny however, would never be
More than the home, of the great blue sea.

He now rests in hands, of a higher love
The ultimate Captain, GOD above.

So until it's time William, you take care
We'll see you aboard, when we get there.

Author - Kathleen E. Miller
Proud Niece of William Solomon Jr. (LAS)
Second Watch Member
Lost but never forgotten.