HAPPY FOURTH OF JULY

A day to appreciate the birth of a great nation

The 4th is more than just a day off from work for a picnic in some public park, or a backyard barbeque, or for watching a fireworks display. I’m afraid today's younger generations take this great land of ours for granted. That’s a shame.

The 4th should be a day for all Americans to appreciate what this great nation represents. It’s spelled out in the Declaration of Independence and the Bill of Rights in our Constitution.

For me, as a refugee from Nazi Germany, this day is special to me. This country saved me and my parents from the Holocaust. For that I am forever grateful to the good old USA. And that’s why I did not wait to be drafted during WW2 - on my 17th birthday, I volunteered to serve in the U.S. Army.

This country also gave my father the opportunity to work in his trade so that eventually he was able to stop renting apartments or houses for us to reside in by buying his family a small home.

And that’s why I hate Colin Kaepernick and those who support his utterly shameful disrespect for our flag and country. That, by the way, includes sportswear giant Nike.

God bless America!

Chivis Martinez, a Borderland Beat reporter, put it this way:

Happy Independence Day 2019!!

I am deeply patriotic. I attribute that to my grandmother who left Jalisco at the age of 18 to venture into a new world. We studied the constitution together as she became a naturalized citizen of the United States. She had me promise to never disrespect the privilege to vote, by failing to exercise the privilege.

I am Mexican-American. I am equally proud of being each; I would not want to be anything else.

The United States gave me opportunities. I can think of nowhere on the planet where a little girl of such humble beginnings, who grew up in a tiny 500 sq ft home, could think that the world was filled with possibilities.

And every goal I succeeded or surpassed. It is because of this amazing nation.

Today and every day I celebrate The United States of America.

Have a safe and sane 4th !!