Happy Birthday America

By RAMON V. LOCKIER

The 4th of July is the birthday of my country, the country of my origin. It’s a great nation, if not the greatest, that allows almost any person not born here to emigrate and become a citizen. And on top of that honor she then goes ahead and bestows upon that émigré all of this nation’s rights and privileges. It is an act defied in much of today’s world.

My country granted citizenship to both of my parents. My Grandma refused to speak her native language in honor of being allowed to become an American. This love of country caused my mother to learn and speak the English language fluently without an accent. My father was a volunteer in WWI, defending this “Land of Opportunity.” My older brother valiantly served in the Pacific in WWII. My younger brother and I served during the Korean War and the Cold War. My mother received a “Navy E” award for her outstanding welding ability during WWII. My family was a family grateful to have been given the opportunity to live in this nation.

My country is one that so many take for granted or deliberately abuse, as those that come only to make use of the services not available in the barbaric or dictatorial countries of their origin and not for the reason to become patriots of this nation and pledge allegiance to it.

This brings me to these points, my fellow Americans.

Love this country hard. She is only as strong as you, her patriots, who are ready to stand up and declare themselves her defenders, even if at times you will be called rabble-rousers.

Honor her laws, but be prepared to stand up and address her for redress if these laws infringe upon those two great foundation stones named “The Bill of Rights” and “The United States Constitution.” Too many people, and our very own government, are willing or ready to take away our rights or to make this country into a foreign nation from within. I’m not being naive or stupid with that statement. Do not allow our government to take away our right to bear arms. For once you do—you are a slave of government.

It is a frightened government that wants you disarmed. Control is the prime reason any government official or law enforcement agency wants guns out of the public’s possession. All other reasons are a smokescreen. Remember the tyrant called Adolph Hitler, who disarmed the people and all hell broke loose?

An action, amongst several, to take away our rights was done by President G.W. Bush, immediately after the World Trade Center disaster in an Executive Order. His order effectively rescinded the entire “Freedom of Information Act.” The public is now denied access to our government’s past, present and future archives and activities, even if such request is presented with a court order.

Patriots must keep abreast of the news and never fully trust our government’s Executive Branch or Judicial Branch; and never trust our government’s Federal, State, or Local Legislative Branch. To be a free person is to be able to address government without being executed or jailed. Yes, it does happen. Once that right is lost, you are nothing more than a subject or commonly known as a slave.

Be prepared to speak out or die for our country, and our great flag shall continue to fly in honor for you and your children, and their children too. America for Americans and long may we stand as one nation even in our diversity. Best wishes to you, my United States.