Memories of Today 4th of July 2020

SENTIMENTAL MOMMENTS, EXCUSE ME PLEASE. Today seems to just keep piling on the thoughts and memories. It is long from over. If you did not watch the MEMORIAL from WDC with our President and Military you missed a very special event in our history. Figuring Dick Eastman's post triggered this memories to come to fore, I thank you Dick Eastman, and I thank my parents for us living where we did, enduring all we did, to survive in a none accepting community. Our daughter came to her Dad the other night and said., "Dad, thank you for raising me in this community and my learning we are all the same." It startled me because feelings have run high in this home for a while now. This child was born in Hawaii but only lived there a month or so. Her siblings walked to school, not to wear shoes indoors and shared their lives with mixed cultures in our neighborhood. We all learned lots and when we were home shopping here, I wanted them to retain what they had learned in Hawaii. It was great with all the military as neighbors, we had 80 different cultures intermixed on this 1 block long street. We also had Welfare recipients as neighbors, which we qualified for but would not use. We survived. WE had block parties and group events and shared stories about our past heritage and learned so much about each other. We had Navy, Air Force, Army, and Reserves on our block and they all have different stories to tell. Around the corner we had a Dr and a Dentist too. Three of us had children the same year and they went to school all their lives together. Two neighbors are still with us. Later as the military moved away to new duties our community changed. Saying I was not happy when I had to give the children rides to Jr. Hi school to prevent beatings,torn clothes and damaged bodies. Remembering my husband was over seas defending our country. The first year they could walk with no dangers after school or before. Later our color was not liked. Because they were not black or dark brown much hurt came about. In Hawaii that was not the case. Ironic is our race does not show on our skin as much as others does. We are American's more than some and less than others. If you were born in the USA you are an AMERICAN of various descents, but American first always. The Lau law really slapped us in the face and set us back 30 years in moving forward with race mingling. It is great to be of Greek or Spanish descent never be ashamed of it but AMERICAN first. Watching the First Lady stand and smile and watch with serious respect was awe inspiring. She was foreign born. I loved when once in a while a smile crept in on her face. When papers ask I write American of:blah blah descent. We should all do that if it is important for you to remind others of your past. So today has become very sentimental for me and ashamed of some's behaviors and proud of so many others. Much goes back to not being taught the true history of our past to our younger generations 30 years ago. Thanks to those who wrote the history books the way they wanted them to read. Yup I worked in the school system for 40+ years. Was able to get one book removed and others modified twice. Our Forefathers fought hard to bring things right to our people. No one was to hold office for but a short time. We have forgotten our Constitution and Bill of Rights and so much more they left for us to copy. I hope your Fourth was more Happy and Less contemplative as mine. May God Bless American and may we stand tall to defend her as our ancestors did. Blessed Fourth of July to our Children and Grandchildren, Great Grandchildren, Cousins, Aunts, Great Aunts, and our friends and country's citizens.