Tag Archives: America

Moments When I Knew Why I Love My Country

There are many wonderful countries in the world — one only has to watch the World Cup to see the pride and passion people have for their homeland and culture.  I can think of many reasons why I love my country.  As our 250th anniversary arrives, some specific moments came to me.

August 1975, JFK Airport: After spending six months in Europe, I landed at JFK airport. As I came down the stairs, three baggage handlers were having a heated discussion on the tarmac.  They were from three different ethnic groups, and I wondered what they were so passionate about.  As I got closer, I discovered they were arguing about the Mets.  At that moment, I said to myself, “I’m home.”  (Note: while I loved being back, I had gotten used to German beer, Swiss chocolate, and French cheese; having to settle for Schlitz, Hershey’s and Kraft “American” was a challenge.)

July 4, 1991, Yakima, Washington:  During our seven years living in rural Washington, we were blessed to have our lives intertwined with three generations of Filipino families.  On this 4th of July, we were guests at their family barbecue.  Several family members took turns standing and saying what it meant to be able to immigrate to America – what challenges they faced, and how grateful they were to become American citizens.

May 1999, Ellis Island, New York City: We were back East for the college graduation of our eldest daughter. I took our two youngest girls to sightsee in New York City.  We took the ferry to Ellis Island.  I remembered my grandmother, who died before I was born, and was 21 years old when she arrived from Sweden in 1912.  In the room where new arrivals were processed, there was a bench with a sign noting it had been in use at that time.  We sat on that bench looking out at the Statue of Liberty.  My grandmother did not have an easy life.  But I thought what a rich life she had made possible for her descendants.

November 4, 2008, Santa Barbara: I was driving home after work listening to NPR. It was announced that Barack Obama was going to win the Presidential election. I had grown up in an era when racism and bigotry were pervasive in my neighborhood, town and country.  To think that a Black man was going to serve as president seemed like a miracle.

December 17, 2013, Goleta City Council Chambers:  After 9/11, I became involved with the Jewish and Muslim congregations in my community.  We got to know each other as friends and neighbors. The Muslim congregation had been working for many years to build a small mosque.  A vote for final approval was scheduled on this date.  There was tension prior to the meeting as we wondered what people opposed to the project might say.  But everyone who spoke supported it.  A common theme was an affirmation that the freedom to practice religion is a fundamental principle of the American vision.  The Council approved the permit unanimously and we rejoiced.

September 2024, Dutch Resistance Museum, Amsterdam:   My sister and I had spent two weeks in Europe focusing on the cities of Berlin, Vienna, and Amsterdam.  Along the way we visited many sites associated with the Nazi period. In Amsterdam we visited the Dutch Resistance Museum.  We were moved by stories and exhibits highlighting the courage and resourcefulness of the Dutch during the Nazi occupation.  The last room focused on the experience of liberation, with tributes to the role the American armed forces had played.  Our father and his 30th Infantry Division had been part of that effort.  I felt great pride in remembering the role America played in the liberation of Europe.

At our best we are a land of opportunity representing the noblest aspirations of the human family. We have refined that vision over two and a half centuries to affirm that all people are created equal, and they are endowed by their creator with certain unalienable rights, including life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.  In these trying times I am grateful for those moments when I was reminded of the power and beauty of that vision, and resolve to remember, defend, and advance it.

When I Worry Too Much, I Look Around

A few days ago, I was sitting in the stands at our grandson’s Little League game. The day’s news was heavy on my mind. I was trying to focus on baseball.

At one point, my attention shifted from the game itself to its setting and context; I asked myself, “What do I see going on here?”  I saw a gathering of ethnically diverse, intergenerational families outdoors at a local park on a spring evening watching children play a game. People were cheering for their own team, and for players on the other team who made a good play.  Toddlers were meandering near the snack bar and then petting dogs who welcomed the attention. I was reminded the league is entirely run by parent volunteers.   

What did I see? I saw a community gathered to nurture children and enjoy simple pleasures, respecting the sport and each other.

I decided to observe other events in my neighborhood.

I rode my bike to a local fruit stand which is in the middle of several farms a mile and a half from my home.  There is no attendant present – prices are handwritten on a whiteboard, and you put money through a slot in the payment box.  I bought some fresh romaine lettuce, carrots that still had earth on them and the first strawberries of the season.

What did I see? I saw the goodness of the earth, the rewards of farming, and people trusting their neighbors.

Every afternoon between 4 and 5 our mailman makes his deliveries on our street.  Many of us know him by name, and he knows us.  Sometimes I see him in the morning on a nearby street; as he goes by, he’ll lean out of his truck and say, “Got a package for you – I’ll be dropping off soon!”   In our conversations, I’ve learned he’s putting four kids through school — two are in high school and two in college. He’s proud of how hard they are working and their future plans.

What do I see? I see a dedicated federal government employee and public servant. I see our country is still a land of opportunity.

From my office window, I often observe two older women taking a walk. One is a widow who lives by herself. Her friend checks on her every day and they walk together.

What do I see? I see people caring for each another.

One of my current volunteer activities is helping raise $26 million to support the expansion and upgrades for our local neighborhood medical and dental clinics.  In our brochures, we state our core belief: “Every person in Santa Barbara deserves compassionate, quality healthcare regardless of income or background.” 

What do I see? I see grassroots America in action.

My wife recently got a message from a parent whose son had been in her first-grade class.  The family has always been grateful for her teaching.  They were inviting us to a production of “Mama Mia” at the local high school in which their son had a leading part. We went.  It was terrific.  I wondered: where do these forty teenagers get this talent, commitment, and love of theater?  And when did “Dancing Queen” ever sound so good?

What did I see? I saw a public school where dedicated teachers and young people are sharing the joys of music, drama, discipline and teamwork.

This weekend we will be attending a Celebration of Life for one of our neighbors, who died at age 86.  She worked as an aid with special needs kids in the local school for many years. She lived on a cul-de-sac, and every Halloween, adjacent households joined forces with her for trick-or-treating.  Her garage door was wide open, and tables were set on her driveway with a steady supply of candy and water bottles.  Over the years, her house became a destination for kids and families near and far; hundreds showed up.  

What did I see? I saw people celebrating a holiday by welcoming strangers with open arms.

What I learn from the news can fill me with despair.  But when I go out and see everyday people living their lives, I see hard work, kindness, fairness, mutual respect and hope for the future. I think to myself, “This is what makes America great.”

Local Goleta Farms