Editor:
What does it mean to be an American? For me, it is the heartfelt belief in liberty and the mundane fruits of it we often take for granted. It is the power that we understand should stop at the tip of my nose and yours, liberty defended not by arms alone but the understanding that arms are not enough. A community that cares enough about what it means to be American to be willing to either embrace, or fight, to get it right. Courage, commitment and civility in a land that stands because we stand for it and cannot be defeated unless every one of us has been laid low. I will despair when the last flower of liberty dies ... meaning? Never!
Freedom; Let it ring baby! It will be the Fourth of July soon. Let each and every American take a moment to wish the U.S.A. a healthy and hardy 237th birthday, and do not argue about issues, or what president was better, or if the United States is doing the right thing here and the wrong thing there. Surely that can wait 24 hours. I have faith July 5 will arrive and the cynics will still have ink in their pens. Let it go for this one day, I beg of you. July 4th! It is OUR time. Take a deep free breath, wave Ol’ Glory around and wish our country, our people and our leaders health, understanding, wisdom and courage. We need it, and folks, we have it. “God Bless America, land that I love. Stand beside her, and guide her, through the night with a light from above!” Sing it loud. Sing it proud. Happy birthday, America.
Richard M. Feit
Cortez