There is a lot of anger directed at the United States these days. That’s not surprising since we are the wealthiest, most successful, and most blessed nation on the face of the earth. What is surprising is how much of that anger is from Americans themselves. Somehow, many Americans have been persuaded that America is the source of all wrong in the world. If it weren’t for America, the world would be a much better place. But I’m not buying it. Sure there have been failures. Without question there are things I do not approve of and am deeply concerned about. But my country has risen to the occasion time and time again to come to the aid of the world when no one else would. I am reminded on this day of an article entitled “The Good Neighbor” written by the Canadian, Gordon Sinclair in 1973 about this very subject. Here’s what he said 30 years ago:
This Canadian thinks it is time to speak up for the Americans as the most generous and possibly the least appreciated people on all the earth.
Germany, Japan and, to a lesser extent, Britain and Italy were lifted out of the debris of war by the Americans who poured in billions of dollars and forgave other billions in debts. None of these countries is today paying even the interest on its remaining debts to the United States.
When France was in danger of collapsing in 1956, it was the Americans who propped it up, and their reward was to be insulted and swindled on the streets of Paris. I was there. I saw it.
When earthquakes hit distant cities, it is the United States that hurries in to help. This spring, 59 American communities were flattened by tornadoes. Nobody helped.
The Marshall Plan and the Truman Policy pumped billions of dollars into discouraged countries. Now newspapers in those countries are writing about the decadent, warmongering Americans. I’d like to see just one of those countries that is gloating over the erosion of the United States dollar build its own airplane. Does any other country in the world have a plane to equal the Boeing Jumbo Jet, the Lockheed Tri-Star, or the Douglas DC10? If so, why don’t they fly them? Why do all International lines except Russia fly American Planes?
Why does no other land on earth even consider putting a man or woman on the moon? You talk about Japanese technocracy, and you get radios. You talk about German technocracy, and you get automobiles. You talk about American technocracy, and you find men on the moon - not once, but several times, and safely home again.
You talk about scandals, and the Americans put theirs right in the store window for everybody to look at. Even their draft dodgers are not pursued and hounded. They are here on our streets, and most of them, unless they are breaking Canadian laws, are getting American dollars from ma and pa at home to spend here.
When the railways of France, Germany and India were breaking down through age, it was the Americans who rebuilt them. When the Pennsylvania Railroad and the New York Central went broke, nobody loaned them an old caboose. Both are still broke.
I can name you 5000 times when the Americans raced to the help of other people in trouble. Can you name me even one time when someone else raced to the Americans in trouble? I don’t think there was outside help even during the San Francisco earthquake. Our neighbors have faced it alone, and I’m one Canadian who is damned tired of hearing them get kicked around. They will come out of this thing with their flag high. And when they do, they are entitled to thumb their nose at the lands that are gloating over their present troubles. I hope Canada is not one of those.
Stand proud, America!
Wear it proudly!!
As an American I do stand proud. I’m not proud of everything decision that has ever been made, but I am proud that our country still stands as a beacon of liberty and freedom to the entire world. I’m proud that millions of Americans still affirm that this country was founded on Christian ideals and honor that heritage to this very day. I’m proud that when all hope seems lost, it is America that people turn to. I’m proud that America has opened it’s doors to the world while proclaiming, “Give me your tired, your poor, your huddled masses yearning to breathe free; send these, the homeless tempest-tossed, to me; I lift my lamp beside the golden door.”
This is a country where freedom still rings loud and clear. This is a country where the opportunity to be anything you want to be is still alive and real. This is a country that has sent the truth of the gospel around the world and ministered to every physical need while doing so. This is a country that I have served to protect and defend. And I will continue to do so.
I LOVE MY COUNTRY!
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