Hi everybody! Happy Halloween! Now don’t get scared, it’s just me back with my October offering. This month, I’m borrowing again. With the kind permission of the writer, Michael Brown, I would like to present a short yet complete definition of what it is to be an American. I think that you will find the description to be current for our times yet timeless in our traditions. I display a framed copy of this in my home. Again, with Mr. Brown’s kind permission, here is “What Is An American”. Enjoy.
WHAT IS AN AMERICAN?
“An American is not delineated by a particular skin color or way of life. He is a person from many places, with many shades of skin; of different sizes and varied energies. He has a Master’s Degree, or he may never have finished high school. He may drive an expensive automobile, or perhaps he relies on two mules to carve his living out of the earth. But regardless of what he is, lacing the different physical features together is a bond of strength in tradition which exemplifies the American way; a way which opens the doors of opportunity to all peoples who may knock upon them. An American has a spirit which was born when the bells tolled of independence, and which has released the adrenalin of his nation time and time again when its existence was threatened by an aggressor.”
“An American does not view armed conflict as a means of getting what he wants, but rather as a means of protecting what he has. He is one who loves the very concept of peace for all nations, but will not hesitate to fight on the shores of others to protect his own. An American sees the knowledge of experience in his past, feels pride in the accomplishments of the present, and has hope for the future of the world, even when others would view the days to come with dismay. But a realistic American finds no gurantee of freedom or security in the future solely because he has always had it in the past.”
“An American recognizes the faults of his system and seeks to correct them through a process unknown to many nations. A process which does not promise absolute perfection, but one which allows for peaceful change if change is needed. That process is democracy, and an American holds that word so dear, that he stands ready at a moment’s notice to lay down his life for its perpetuation.”
“An American finds nothing at all unusual about getting cold chills when his flag passes in review, for his flag has always been a source of inspiration; when the smoke cleared over Fort McHenry, when its sheen was reflected on the sands of Iwo Jima, and when the colors glistened on the side of the craft which took the first man to the moon. An American sees nothing strange about getting a lump in his throat when the National Anthem is played, or weeping unashamed when taps is played for one who paid the ultimate price for his freedom. He realizes that the only thing that exceeds that price is the freedom itself. An American never forgets the indebtedness he has because of that sacrifice, for without it, his freedom would only be an unreachable concept in some philosopher’s mind.”
“A true American is the essence of pride in a way of life. What is an American, you say? He is fortunate… ”
As you can tell, I love this piece. I hope that it provokes you to think about your own definition and that you discover your inner pride reflected in our nation’s ideals.
As always, thanks for visiting Copcorner.net. We’ll visit again next month.
All the best, Tim
8 Responses to “What Is An American?”
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Interesting and informative. But will you write about this one more?
I added your blog to bookmarks. And i’ll read your articles more often!
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I liked it. So much useful material. I read with great interest.
Valuable thoughts and advices. I read your topic with great interest.
Are you a professional journalist? You write very well.
Tim,
This is such a beautiful piece and really should make every American stand back and ponder. I have been looking to get in contact with Michael Brown regarding his piece. Could you please provide me with his contact information if you have it. Thanks.
-Tyler
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Hi everybody! Happy Halloween! Now don’t get scared, it’s just me back with my October offering. This month, I’m borrowing again…..
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