Here’s a First-hand Account of What Patriotism Means.

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   GA Andersonposted 4 years ago

   I guess I am feeling kinda sappy today. Here is a blurb from a post about July 4th.
   
   "There, in a dark and baroquely decorated room, we found eight elderly men. These were too infirm to stand. Three were on stretchers, several were in wheelchairs, two had oxygen tanks. One had no right arm. A few relatives, beaming, stood near each one. One by one, Judge Lew administered the naturalization oath to them — closely, sometimes touching their hands, speaking loudly so they could hear him, like a priest administering extreme unction. They smiled, grasped his hand, spoke the oath as loudly as they could with evident pride. Some wept. I may have as well. One said, not with anger but with the tone of a dream finally realized, "We've waited so long for this."
   
   You will have to read the link to get the context but be forewarned, you will probably get something in your eye.
   
   Article: July 4th
   
   GA

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      Credence2posted 4 years agoin reply to this

      I liked the silent movie taken around 1915 of aged former Confederate and Union soldiers reenacting a battle scene and when faced off before one another began hugging and shaking hands.

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         GA Andersonposted 4 years agoin reply to this

         I like that mental image too.
         
         GA

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      Sharlee01posted 4 years agoin reply to this

      The human spirit is a miraculous thing. Some humans are overly blessed with that spirit and have an abundance of it.  In my view, it would take the spirit of awareness, insight, understanding, and other reasoning powers to keep such a promise alive for 54 years. They lived through all the ups and downs America dished up over the many years, and we can't know what they felt about all the history they witnessed in those many years. However, The author draws us a  good picture and shares the joy, the dignity that was evident in the very room on that July day when these patriots became American citizens. 
      
      Thanks for sharing a bitter yet sweet article.

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         GA Andersonposted 4 years agoin reply to this

         You are welcome. Obviously, I liked the article too.
         
         GA

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            Sharlee01posted 4 years agoin reply to this

            It was positive and uplifting... I a very nice escape from all the doom and gloom.

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   IslandBitesposted 4 years ago

   "...to believe in the shared idea of what America should be without abandoning the struggle to right its wrongs."
   
   Powerful. That's what many people don't get.
   
   Nice article. Thanks for sharing.

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      GA Andersonposted 4 years agoin reply to this

      Great quote choice. And you are right.
      
      GA

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      wildernessposted 4 years agoin reply to this

      I like that quote, too.  Never forget we are not perfect.

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