Deviation Actions
Literature Text
But I suppose a fourth grade teacher really convinced me. She told me one day, after I had made some comment about America, that if I didn't think we lived in a great nation, that I should go live in South Africa or Russia, where they have no freedoms.
Since that time I've always thought of America as a great nation.
I remember when I was little my family went to California to visit some friends. I had the chance to see some great states.
We started off in Oklahoma, where Indian pride is still fierce and the people were so hospitable. We went through the beautiful state of Colorado, which has enough beauty to suffice for several countries, most can't match it. We drove through Utah with its Mormon City of Salt Lake City, its beautiful buildings, but the beauty didn't only come from these buildings, but also from a choir that reaches inside to show an inner beauty. We drove through Nevada, with its Las Vegas, where people are still trying to strike it rich. Then we arrived in California. A place where people follow fads like idols and worship the suntan god. Arizona with its beautiful deserts. New Mexico and its Rocky Mountains and then Texas, west Texas, where people are just plain nice to you.
But most of all we went through states that were free, each and every one of them. No matter how you put it - we are FREE.
A word that should mean a lot to all of us. A word that men have fought and died for in wars that meant a lot to them and their families.
A word that documents have been written up for.
"FREE," a word fought for in a war in the early 1800s so sailors wouldn't be kidnapped and pressed into foreign service.
A word fought for so that a black people could gain their freedom and to keep eleven states from exiling themselves from a free nation.
A world fought for in 1917 to "keep the world safe for democracy" to stop a freedom crushing people.
A word fought for in 1941 when America - herself, was attacked, and went to stop a tyrannical madman and crush these people.
Freedom is a word Americans will never give up as long as the idea of being free lasts.
You give Americans a cause and they'll fight for it. From the Lady in New York to the Gate in San Francisco, from the Windy City to the beaches of Florida.
America is a nation where I know I can be free, because my forefathers gave up their lives for a word called FREEDOM.
If the time ever arises that another life must be given to secure my family and country with freedom - I'll be glad to serve my country and give my life to that cause. Knowing that God has given me the supreme privilege of living in a free nation.
That's why I joined the Army.
19 Jan 85
I happened to find it yesterday while looking for some other things. Apparently there is a first part. I'll look for that and post it as well.
I still pretty much believe these things. I've always believed in American Exceptionalism. However, the 28 since I joined have tempered my beliefs and how I express them as well. 21 years in the military didn't deepen my patriotism in America, it opened my eyes to the reality of America. But I retained my patriotism. I am unashamedly a patriot. I will always be a patriot.
Please, I ask of you not to insult me for this. I realize how it sounds and the innocence of it, the naivete of it, the historical inaccuracies and such. Please realize this was a 18 yr old kid who wrote it. I don't really believe in hiding comments or blocking people. But if you insult this or criticize it, I will probably hide your comment and block you. I don't mind you criticizing something I have written recently, but this...well, just please don't do it.
Thanks.
I believe in American Exceptionalism, also. Problem is, those who most likely Will insult you, can't or Won't see that it is a Goal to be Desired, not an outright, across-the-board fact.
We've managed it a number of times. It is part of the reason so many want to come to the US, legally or otherwise. It has been achieved from time to time by beating down the very things those who will insult you, focus all of their attention upon.
Helen: Dash... this is the third time this year you've been sent to the office. We need to find a better outlet. A more... constructive outlet.
Dash: Maybe I could, if you'd let me go out for sports.
Helen: Honey, you know why we can't do that.
Dash: But I promise I'll slow up. I'll only be the best by a tiny bit.
Helen: Dashiell Robert Parr, you are an incredibly competitive boy, and a bit of a show-off. The last thing you need is temptation.
Dash: You always say 'Do your best', but you don't really mean it. Why can't I do the best that I can do?
Helen: Right now, honey, the world just wants us to fit in, and to fit in, we gotta be like everyone else.
Dash: But Dad always said our powers were nothing to be ashamed of, our powers made us special.
Helen: Everyone's special, Dash.
Dash: [muttering] Which is another way of saying no one is.