Proud to be an American

Proud to be an American

Our family comes from many places. Some were here when the white man came. Some made the horrible “Trail of Tears” to the Indian Territory in Oklahoma. A few hid out and ended up in the Eastern Cherokee Nation in North Carolina. Many of our family came from Great Britain, Scotland, and Ireland. Others came from France, Spain, Africa and countries around the world. What a heritage we have.

Our family fought for freedom in every conflict that our country has been involved in, from before the American Revolution to the present. We always answered the call to arms to defend freedom.

Some fought in the French-Indian War and the Revolutionary War. Others were at the Battle of New Orleans. Some were in Texas during the Texas Revolution fighting alongside Spaniards and Mexicans to gain freedom from a tyrant.

Although we may not always believe in the cause, we respond when called. One ancestor was a preacher and would not carry a gun to kill others, but felt the need to help. He was also a carpenter. He traveled in front of the Union Army during the War Between the States rebuilding bridges that had been destroyed by Confederates.

One Confederate relative was captured at Chickamauga and spent many months in the horrible prison camp at Camp Douglas near Chicago. We had ancestors and relatives on both sides of that terrible conflict.

Relatives served during World War I and World War II. Several cousins and I served during the Korean conflict. I was in Navy patrol bombers flying patrol off the coast of China. My brother and other cousins served during Vietnam.

Some of our children served during the Cold War following Vietnam. I had nephews serving in Desert Storm. Grandchildren, cousins, and other relatives served following Desert Storm and some are still serving. One grandson was in the Army when we had troops guarding the border during the Bosnia situation. Currently, another grandson is going into the Navy submarine service.

We lost relatives in previous conflicts. No doubt we will lose more relatives in future conflicts. Tears come to my eyes as I think about the possibility of losing relatives in a war. I know that anytime the call comes, we will be there. The love of freedom is instilled into each of us.

That freedom includes the “Freedom of Religion.” We have relatives of various faiths or “no faith.” Many of our family have been preachers since the 17^th century and not all from the same church denomination either. One of the founding tenets of the United States was that we could each worship or not worship God in our own way. I will defend anyone’s right to a belief or not to have a belief. All I ask is that they also do not restrict me in how I believe and I will not interfere with their belief or disbelief.

As we grew up, we said a prayer to our God and pledged allegiance to the Flag of the United States of America each day in classrooms, at sporting events, and at other gatherings. Are we British-Americans, Scottish-Americans, Irish-Americans, African-Americans, Native Americans or some other name?

I am proud of my heritage, but I would rather say: “I am an American and damned proud to be one! I will stand up and pledge allegiance to our flag every chance I get and pray to my God when and where I feel like it."

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