Our great country has celebrated yet another Independence Day. It was 232 years ago, the year 1776, when Minuteman fought the British and won. This is why we celebrate our freedom by parades, backyard cook-outs, community fire works displays and to pause for those who gave the supreme sacrifice for this day.
What is a true patriot? One who loves his country, pledges his allegiance to the flag, wears a flag lapel pin with the stars and stripes, simply any or all of the above when you do it with pride and honor.
A patriot obeys the laws, obeys the Constitution of the United States of America, in time of war defends his country, has respect for the president, regardless of whether he is Republican or Democrat, and supports our troops.
I consider myself a true patriot, an immigrant from Italy, I arrived to America in Dec. 31, 1931, when the ship passed the Statute of Liberty. I was 6 years old and I remember people with happy tears, hands folded making the sign of the cross, thanking God for the safe journey and soon to be on American soil.
I am now 84 years old, a member of the Greatest Generation.
When Pearl Harbor was attacked, I was 16 years old, that was Dec. 7, 1941.On April 10, 1942, I was 17 years old, and I wanted to enlist right there and then, but it took a while to get my parents' permission. On Dec. 5, 1942, I enlisted in the United States Air Force, served three years, 18 months as an MP at Morrison Field, West Palm Beach. With good duty, I volunteered and was given permission to go over seas, where I ended up in India, Burma, and China, where I helped supply war materials to the Chinese who were fighting against Japan.
In 1945 the war ended, I was one of the lucky ones who made it back home. I got my honorable discharge and headed home. This country has given me so much I can never repay: A beautiful family, three children, nine grandchildren and five great grandchildren.
I have been even more blessed by the fact that one of my grandsons was born on July 4th.
Independence Day was actually declared by the Continental Congress on July 2, 1776. The declaration was adopted on July 4th.