When I was asked to write this, I said yes right away without even thinking about it. I believe it's because I feel very strongly about Americanism but have never spoken out about it. I have been one of the silent majority, not because of apathy but because I have been too busy working and fulfilling my responsibilities to have the time to march or sit on the courthouse steps and be counted. The 4th of July celebrates the signing of the Declaration of Independence, even today people from oppressed countries are continuing to make sacrifices to come to the United States of America in order to escape the same persecutions and oppressions and pursue the same dream, the opportunity for a better life as our early émigrés. History tells us that 14 of the original people who signed the Declaration had their homes burned; they were willing to give personal sacrifices for their beliefs, their decision to emigrate from the 4 corners of the earth, giving up prominent positions, friends, family and homes to pursue the opportunities here. If I were born in another country I wonder if I would have made that decision, how grateful I am, that our forefathers had that insight, faith and ability to hold near and dear the principles this country is based on. The rights of freedom and self-determination and individual initiative are rewarded in our system of progress. These men knew and were willing to fight for Americanism knowing that the opportunity to fulfill the American Dream is present, that our system provides the opportunity, but cannot guarantee that we make the right decision to be successful, nor when we make a wrong decision or lack the proper skills to be successful can we blame the American way, we must take responsibility for our own short-comings and not blame the government. As a young man I learned a skill and then served in the Korean War, when I returned home and began to fulfill the America Dream, I made some bad choices and lost everything. I came to California believing there was more opportunity here, one might say, I immigrated from Toledo. I began working part-time for a man in the back of his garage. The man had a dream, he owned a garage and some machinery, I needed the money and worked with him. As the business grew successful; the opportunities were there and I began to realize the American Dream a second time. Where else could this happen? As the business grew, people began to come to us with their ideas and dreams, as we assisted them, they grew successful, today there are at least 4 or 5 highly successful businesses as a result of this principle working; providing new opportunities; the man in the back of the garage with the dreams, ideas and the willingness to work to make the dream a reality - is called free enterprise - Americanism. I have been financially rewarded, however, over and above this I have been Spiritually rewarded to be a part of it all. The thrill to still be an integral part of the American Dream happening over and over again. There has been several highly publicized murders here in California and the court cases have cost millions of dollars; I had made the comment that it's getting so that we cannot afford it; when an older, wiser friend reminded me that we cannot afford not to. This is Americanism working and we have no alternatives to justice. We have been left a God given legacy; in the spirit of true. Americanism we must do what ever it takes to preserve this legacy for future generations. I hope we can be blessed with the foresight of our forbears. Written By Don Lagger FOBW |
Americanism |
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In Memorial To "The Man Who Started In The Back Of The Garage" Frank Dvoracek |