I’ve been thinking about America lately, especially as we are approaching the 250th anniversary of the birth of our nation, free from the tyranny of England, and a country where we could practice our religion as we wish to.
America was born on Christian principles and anyone who has been to Washington, D.C., can see evidence of that carved on every government building. There are all faiths being practiced in our country now, something that is not possible in many other lands.
But I’ve been thinking of other things, too. For instance, how many of us know all of the words to our “Star Spangled Banner,” “America the Beautiful” or “God Bless America?” I just read that most people only know the first five words of those songs.
And how many people stand anymore, take off their hats and cross their hearts to show respect for our national anthem or the flag at a parade or ballgame?
Have you ever thought about how many people have died to make us free? The mothers, dads, siblings, wives, husbands and children who will never see their loved one again.
And have you really looked at our beautiful American flag that should be flown proudly? When I see someone desecrating our flag by tearing it, burning it or stomping on it; it makes me physically sick.
Personally, I believe there should be a federal law to put those people in prison for treason to our county. Am I patriotic? By now you should know that I am! I cry when Lee Greenwood sings, “I’m Proud to be an American.”
Yes, we have our problems and have gone backward in many ways, but it’s still the greatest country on earth.
It happens that our family on my father’s side are descendants of Abraham Clark, a signer of the Declaration of Independence. (He signed the document Abar Clark.) So, my sister and I who live in Mariposa, and our brothers and descendants, may be a tab overboard in our patriotism.
Abraham went through some awful times because he signed our country’s precious document. Three of his sons were captured and put on the notorious prison ship “Jersey.” Aaron, one of the sons, was thrown into a hell hole by himself on the ship. The only food he got was from other prisoners pushing moldy bread through the keyhole in his “quarters.”
The British told his father they would release him if he (Abraham) would recant signing the Declaration of Independence, but he said he couldn’t. When Congress (of which he was a member) heard about that, they demanded that Aaron be released, and he was … in terrible condition, but free.
We are not too sure what happened to the other two sons. By the way, Abraham Clark proposed putting the world “Liberty” on our currency. Obviously, it was approved.
In conclusion, if you’d like to read a book about our founding fathers, the titles is, “Signing Their Lives Away” by Denise Kiernan and Joseph D’Angesese.
Happy 250th birthday to the United States of America.
Marci Perez is a resident of Mariposa.
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