With tomorrow being the 4th of July I feel like I need to say something to honor it. With the nation being in the current state it is in, now more than ever we need some patriotism and loyalty. Too many people who don’t stand behind President Bush jump to the gun to slam the country with negative opinions when in all reality BECAUSE you DON’T stand behind Bush you should be portraying a strong sense of loyalty to America.
My ancestors were Irish immigrants that arrived here in the United States long before records were collected on Ellis Island. Robert Fleming, my g.g.g.g.grandfather on my mother’s side was exhiled from Ireland for stealing cucumbers. He was given a choice, Australia or America. Many of the Irish were sent to Australia as a punishment for criminal behavior. Robert chose The New World.
I’ve spent an unknown amount of hours researching my family’s genealogy and heritage to learn where I came from. When I was 3 my mother was in a predicament that required her to move us far away from family and lose all contact with them. It was the only thing she could do to save our lives at that time.
As a result I grew up without family connections or cultural roots. It’s only been the last couple of years that I’ve been able to reconnect with those family members.
Reconnecting with them and listening to my grandmother recount family memories that I did not have the opportunity to share in as well as tell me about our family history with its’ colorful characters has made my roots that much more important to me.
So t his 4th of July I find myself appreciative of my Irish heritage but even moreso proud of my American nationality.
I’ve always been patriotic to some degree, my father (that whole step-dad stupidity) was in the Air Force for twenty years so that has had a great deal to do with it as well as my heritage.
I made the comment to someone yesterday when asked about my plans for the 4th that “It’s un-American to not acknowledge the day in some way.”
So this is my acknowledgement. I won’t say God Bless America because I don’t share that particular belief. What I will say is, Be well America. May we protect and serve you in the same way you’ve protected and served us.
Happy Independance Day everyone, freedom is glorious.
Raunchy Taters 