Dear Readers, lest we forget where we've been as a country and where we need to go... Memorial Day has been a U.S. federal holiday since 1868, memoralizing and mourning America's military killed during active duty. It is now observed the last Monday of May with American flags decorating military graves and is considered the unofficial beginning of summer. As an Air Force brat, our family also celebrates Armed Forces Day, earlier in May, an unofficial U.S. holiday to honor those currently serving, and Veteran's Day on November 11th that celebrates all those who have ever served in any of the 5 branches of the U.S. Armed Forces.
American is a land of immigrants -other than Native Americans, all our ancestors came from somewhere else. American is not yet 250 years old, only becoming a nation in 1776 after a hard fought, and bloody independence from Britain. The U.S. military has forever been composed of ethnic, religious, cultural, and other minorities that banded together as true Americans and fought for democracy in the "baptism of blood" on battlefields at home and worldwide. America's strength is because we are a melting pot of humanity. We thrive because our diversity gives us a competitive edge; individuals with differing backgrounds make a more creative and innovative team, all working together to ensure that the goal is an ever-lasting, strong democracy.
On July 4, 1884, France presented America with a friendship gift, a statue of the Roman goddess of liberty. Always, the Statue of Liberty holds her torch high over the New York Harbor, welcoming the world's immigrants to our shores. She beckons: "give me your tired, your huddled masses yearning to be free." And I add, as long as America remains a strong icon as the world's example of democracy, these United States will assure our citizens equality and justice for all who travel this path. -SQ
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