AMERICA, LAND OF THE FREE

eyes.

“America,” he said, smiling while tears welled in his eyes, “the land of the free.” This moment was my China trip.


Vern all the beauty of China didn't stop the pain of that man ever having "The Chance" to realize what he could do or be if allowed. ..That's what spirit needs...Nobody that's truly alive wants to be caged.

Isn't it amazing that people who have never been blessed with one day here in America hold it in awe and appreciation while those so blessed as to be citizens of "the land of the free" are so woefully unappreciative? Even traitorous? Jane Fonda, Michael moore, Sean Penn and others come to mind. John Kerry, John Murtha and a host of others. If we could deport the ingrates permanently, trading for those who love what we have here, we'd be so much better off.
Great work Verne. Keep it up.

Thank you so much, Cindy, for that post. I experienced this, but even now my heart aches for the fate and longing of that young man in his native China. Yes, the people of China are "caged", even though the phony Olympics touted great accomplishments. But this communist inferno has failed where the human spirit is concerned. Dare I say that I hope we can make them pay?

Thanks for a heartfelt and incisive rsponse. I find that you are always good for that. Communism is a scourge. Our own American leftists fawn over the despotic excesses of countries like China, Russia, North Vietnam, Cuba. Then there is radical Islam, and the murderous regimes that populate Africa. Bobbie, I just don't know sometimes what to say. But I have a better vision of what to do. We have talked about that. We need to get God on our team. And let Him call the shots. You're cool, my special friend. Keep the faith, and let's stay in touch.

of when they envision “America” from despotic lands. There is a young (in my eyes) man working for my company who managed to escape Viet Nam. Hi was 5-years-old when the south collapsed. Hi's father, a junior army officer, was unimportant enough to survive the initial purges, yet shuffled painfully and was not able to hold anything weighing more than a kilo after his “re-education.” Hi left Viet Nam at age 16 after his father died, and struck out for that land of which his father told him. He did make it to that “land of the free” and became a citizen. When I met Hi, he asked about my military service in his homeland, and thanked me profusely for my efforts there – something I never got from my fellow countrymen upon return. I asked Hi if he missed his birthplace. Hi said, “I loved Viet Nam, I still do, but she is dead now, and America is my only home.”
As Cindy stated, “I saw America then through different eyes.”

of some inside history. I didn't realize how accomplished you were when you gave me such a compliment. With that I can allow myself to take that compliment to heart a little more and raise my ego ;) Thanks for your inspiring words. I have my own desires too, as you did in wanting to get to China. Mine is to become a paid conservative writer, fiction and/or nonfiction, or anything that comes my way as an opportunity. I have a disability that keeps me from actually doing physical work, so this is really my only way out. Social Security and the VA are giving me problems, but not willing to talk about them here. I feel this is my calling, and I know I can write. The question is where to go and how. I'm not college educated, but when it comes to a profession such as writing, maybe a college education is a hindrance when it comes to writing with your own style and insights. You'll just be writing how someone told you to write, who was told by someone else how to write, and so on and so on. I'm hoping an opportunity comes soon. It's getting tough living on nothing. Great piece, Verne. Looking forward to reading more and hearing more from you.

That was a poignant comment, Salt. Took me a page to say what you got across in a paragraph. But the bottom line is the same, isn't it? A free America is a miracle that others seek and that we take for granted. I really appreciate that story about Hi, his family, his loss of his own country, and his adoption by America. He was fortunate. But we were fortunate first. If more of us saw the other side, perhaps they would be less callous, although I can't say for sure. To you I offer the thanks for your service that your contemporaries back on the homefront never gave you. God bless you, my friend. I would appreciate it if we could stay in touch.

Jesse: I am moved by your note, and want to respond to some of the things you said. I'm sure you are having a struggle with finances and just getting by. The stand-off with Social Security and VA are no doubt adding to the burden. Jesse, you're in my prayers. God will be faithful and help you through this. Rest assured that it's clear you are a writer, and a talented one at that! I have read some of your posts, and they are excellent. I admire you for your honesty and candor about your situation. That shows a lot about your character. Let's continue to correspond so that I can be in touch with how you are doing. If you'll allow Bobbie to give me your e-mail, we can discuss things with some degree of privacy. God bless you, my friend, and thanks for writing.

Let’s hope the young liberal minds of America won’t have to learn the hard lessons about freedom, known all to well by the young Chinese English teacher.

I put up a comment here and I don't see it. What a deal. Some little gremlin is playing with my computer again.

I'll read your next blog post and comment there. Sure hope that one doesn't get lost!

Hello, good lady. Listen, the only TH groupie really unqualified to deal with computers is me, not you! I just really appreciate your knocking on my door. Look forward to getting that message. You doing okay? God bless you, Verne.

my email is right on my blog page to the right, close to the bio.

Got it. Shows how unobservant I am. Thanks, Jesse. I look forward to corresponding with you! Let me know how the contacts are going, and let's stay in close touch. God bless you, sir.