I remember coming to America from Italy. It was 1931, 79 years ago and I was 6 years old I remember passing the Statue of Liberty and seeing people with tears in their eyes entering New York Harbor, embarking at Ellis Island.
My mom, my sister, and I hugged each other crying, so happy to be in America after waiting two years. We thanked God for our safe journey.
I remember our first 4th of July, my father took us to a picnic in Tuckahoe, N.Y. We played games, horseshoes, stick ball and had plenty of hamburgers and hotdogs to eat. When darkness came, the sky lit up with fireworks what a beautiful sight, the ending was the stars and stripes with the playing of our national anthem.
I am an American.
I look forward to all patriot holidays such as Memorial Day, Flag Day, 4th of July, Veterans Day.
At the age of 17, in 1942, I enlisted in the Air Force. I was honorably discharged in 1945 at war's end.
America: What is America to me? It's the country that gave me the freedom to be whatever I wanted to be, gave me the freedom to seek and find the American dream. It gave me freedom to travel state to state and gave the press the freedom to print. Most of all it gave me the opportunity to raise my family: my children, my grandchildren, great grand children, and the blessing to have one of my grandchildren born on the 4th of July.
Thanks to the brave and women who have fought in many wars to keep these freedoms in which we take for granted.
When and how did Independence Day begin? It began 233 years ago when Richard Henry Lee of Virginia had enough, living under British rule decided to separate the American colonies from British rule, thus the American Revolution. It was on July 2, 1776, when the 2nd Continental Congress voted to approve the resolution of independence after voting for independence. Congress termed the Declaration of Independence, Thomas Jefferson its principal author, congress debated and resolved the declaration which was approved for July 4, 1776.
The most memorable time in the history of America is to celebrate and commemorate this day by solemn acts of devoting to God almighty to celebrate this day with parades, games and bells, mainly fireworks. I remember a 4th of July parade in Bridgeport, Conn., the start of the parade was the Spirit of 1776 marching to the tune of Yankee Doodle Dandy two drummers, a fifer with his head bandaged in the stars and stripes, right behind school marching bands, the governor, the mayor, horses riders, floats, the Army, Navy, Air Force and Marines marching in procession.
When the parade ended to Seaside park for games, hamburgers, hot dogs and a swim in Long Island sound and then came the what we all came to see the fireworks, the ending the stars and stripes lit the sky, just a beautiful sight.
This is what Independence Day is all about. Happy 4th of July and happy 233 years, America. May God keep blessing this beautiful country called the United States of America.