Letter: All U.S. citizens should be proud Americans

To the editor:

I would like to comment on the recent turmoil that is happening in this country. May I begin with saying I was born 87 years ago in a small village in Czechoslovakia. My family experienced the terrible times during World War II,  surviving bombings and airplane strafing by huddling in air raid caves built in the side of nearby hills. After the war, my family was displaced as refugees to West Germany.

In 1954, I met a wonderful young man who was serving with the U.S. Air Force and we were married. In 1957, I came to this great country as a war bride and immigrant. In order to obtain a visa, I had to be in good health and had to sign papers that stated I would not become a burden to this country by being on welfare or needing assistance of any kind. That was the immigration law at that time. I acquired full citizenship after three years of residence and I consider myself a “true” American.

It breaks my heart to see what is happening to our country. We all should thank God every day that we live in this great land. I can tell you, “war is hell,” and we certainly do not ever want to have to experience that here. Rage and hate that we see today expressed by so many people; politicians, demonstrators, the Hollywood know-it-alls, the news networks. Those who are demonstrating and destroying property, rejecting our laws, fighting our law enforcement people; they in all likelihood would not fight one minute for our dear country.

Canada would not be big enough to hold all the deserters and Hollywood clan if war did break out here. As JFK said, “Ask not what the country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country.” I am proud to be an American and if the people feel as I do, we all need to show it. Please, think before lashing out! Don’t let politics ruin your life. People who work together can accomplish so much more. Hate is a terrible thing. Every country has laws and those people who come here, as I did, should abide by our laws or stay away.

Many people around the world want the freedom and life that our United States offers. God so blessed our country and we need to love it because it is one of a kind. The singing of our national anthem and the standing to honor our American flag are privileges we have all been given through the sacrifices of so many through the years. By not doing so, you are dishonoring all those who served, fought and died for all of us.

Albi Distler

Greenwood