For American service veterans, patriotic holidays have a special meaning. Holidays like Armistice Day, Memorial Day and Independence Day often bring back memories of time spent in service to our country. For me that would be the the four years I served in the U. S. Air Force, especially the 21 months serving Uncle Sam on the far east island of Okinawa. Some of my fondest memories were the patriotic holidays when I stood at attention with my fellow airmen, saluting our American Flag and somewhat teary eyed listening to the refrains of Kate Smith proclaiming Irving Berlin’s classic 1918 World War I song, “God Bless America.”
Despite being on a tiny island in the Pacific over 7,000 miles from home, I felt safe and secure during those events. Seeing Old Glory waving in the wind and listening to Kate Smith belt out the words penned by Irving Berlin gave me a sense of peace, honor and pride to be serving my country in a foreign land.
Like most Americans, I am grateful for the freedoms, privileges and opportunities I have in this country, and for the men and women who fought and died for those freedoms. I love my country and am proud to have served it.
Unfortunately, there are people today (IN America) who hate America and want to change it. They want to change our l ...
