The Land I Love

During the “7^th inning stretch” at every Dodger baseball game, the stirring words of God Bless America ring out, usually with a different singer at the microphone each night.  And that patriotic ritual is followed by the classic “Take me out to the Ballgame” as the enthusiastic crowd of 40 to 50 thousand lend their voices for a sing-a-long fest.

My two passions are indulged and it never gets old!  The gift of America and its national pastime are emotionally acknowledged!  It is an ever-present reminder to me that of course not everyone shares my passion for baseball, but all Americans should share this heartfelt moment of reverent expression for their country. 

Some personal thoughts about the land I love…  

The Founding Fathers began their great experiment … a land governed by the people, of the people and for the people. It was quite unique on the world stage. 

President Lincoln recognized the perils of enslaving a race because of the color of their skin.  He freed the slaves; then fought a war to preserve a nation where all men were free.  It was a union that stands to this day? Yes racism persists, but we have come a long way to make good on the promise that all men are created equal.

It matters that the man in the White House today serving as President - is a black man.  In the final analysis, he will be judged on the content of his character (as well as policies and leadership) and not the color of his skin.

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In my America, our parents and grandparents from that same Generation worked hard, sacrificed much, fought side by side in two World Wars, many died and many returned to start families and raise their children to be better educated and obtain what can only be called the American dream. 

In my America its citizens act quickly and are the most generous in their giving of not only money but time… to people facing catastrophes of all types.  Ask the Sumatra tsunami victims, 9-11 survivors, even the flood victims of New Orleans.

In my America, oppressed people from all over the world were welcomed to our shores under the banner of freedom and liberty? Many a foreigner emerged from their place in steerage to see the beacon of light symbolized by Lady Liberty in New York harbor. They came to escape hate and tyranny; they came to know a nation that opened its arms.

They tearfully read the words engraved on a bronze plaque mounted on the Statue of Liberty?

"Give us your tired, your poor,
Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free,

Upon reflection, if you can name another country in the world that embraces this kind of diversity, please tell me.  In fact try to imagine what this world would be like without the United States of America.

These same immigrants—our ancestors—were proud to become Americans, and some of the successive generations even settled in the San Fernando Valley.  And they gave back!  Brave young Americans landed on the beaches of Normandy that launched the invasion of Europe and the liberation of that continent from Hitler’s Nazi machine? 

One moving example of America’s greatness rests in no fewer than twenty European cemeteries where over 104,000 men who gave their lives are buried. 

Today we are engaged in yet another controversial war.  How will our present and future generations learn from history and revere and preserve freedom and liberty in this wonderful land of opportunity? 

In his final speech as our 40^th President, Ronald Reagan warned of “an eradication of the American memory that could result, ultimately, in the erosion of the American spirit.”  I’m afraid we may be in that distressed state today. I believe it’s more than an opinion or perception that American students know less about American history than any other subject they study.  

America is surely not perfect and never claimed to be.  But its citizens have strived to stand in the void between a good and evil world.  In the dark days following WWII Pope Pius XII said “The American people have a great genius for splendid and unselfish actions. Into the hands of America God has placed the destinies of an afflicted mankind.”  Indeed, perhaps we are “last best hope of man on earth”.