Dear Readers, Let us never forget where we’ve been as a nation and where we need to go… Memorial Day has been a U.S. federal holiday since 1868, memorializing and mourning America’s military killed during active duty. Now observed on the last Monday of May, and considered the unofficial beginning of summer, flags decorate military graves. 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. Until Trump, the proud family of American military warriors was inclusive, working as one unit to keep the U.S. and the world safe. May your gods help the USA.
America is a land of immigrants-other than Native Americans, all our ancestors came from somewhere else. America is not yet 250 years old, only becoming a nation in 1776 after a hard fought, and bloody independence from England. 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 the 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.” I was ignorantly comfortable last year on this holiday that America’s leadership in the world would continue to uplift and carry those that needed assistance. Now, I worry everyday that our democracy is being dismantled by our corrupt government. I hope I am wrong. -SQ
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