Monday, July 5, 2010
Freedom, by Charlotte Boquist
Freedom is precious, too easily accepted as normal. Those of us who have never experienced the lack of freedom probably have no concept of what it means to have none. We accept the fact that we can worship whatever god we wish or not recognize God at all. We are able to travel anywhere without restriction. We are free to start a business, own a home, raise out children, dress as we please and take part in our government. The list is endless. As we celebrate our country's birthday we should "re-pledge" our allegiance.
My Most Memorable Fourth of July, by Annette Skarin
My grandson, Joshua and I have a special bond. I have a child-like spirit and my grandson is a fun-loving teen-ager. We can laugh and joke in a way that only we get. We compare wound stories to see who wins the prize-I’ve been losing lately much to my children’s relief-especially since the time he was bitten by a shark.
In the year my grandson was about to turn three, I began to cajole my children to have a Fourth of July picnic. I had missed out on this holiday during my child-hood years while growing up on the prairies of Canada. My children were not as enthused as I was about going to a crowded park just to watch ten minutes of fireworks. I had a card to play because at the time I lived just a few blocks from a popular park where a fireworks show was being held. I won the hand!
On the day of the event I was pumped up with enthusiasm. My son and daughter-in-law parked in my driveway and unloaded the car. We filled a wagon with all the gear and goodies of a great picnic: blankets to sit on, ice, sodas, a barbeque, charcoal, chicken, hamburgers and finger-licking sauce. Joshua got to ride on his big dad’s shoulders (he is 6’4”).
My daughter Sarah came in her own car and joined us as we made the trek to the park. The air was permeated with the smell of roasted corn, savory stir-fried teriyaki, the pungent aroma of onions and cilantro from the taco booth, sizzling char-broiled burgers and sweet powder sugar dusted funnel cakes to name just a few.
There were booths with items such as hand-made jewelry, clothing and lots of shiny noisy toys for the kiddies. I bought a pair of earrings, which I lost one of years later, so I made a necklace out of the remaining one. I bought my grandson a light saber that glowed with an eerie green light (he recently told me that he had it for years). I ran around the three-tiered park with my grandson, as he took in all the sights with wide-eyed wonder.
My visual senses were electric with the energy of the moment when the show began. The bursts of fiery, vividly colorful flowers against the night sky; always left me with a sense of awe. My grandson was more thrilled by the close encounter of the sparklers, which his dad held for him, than by the expensive show. That was the last time we have gone to a Fourth of July show together as a family.
I am so thankful to have this memory as I moved to the State of Washington a few months later to help my mother. After I moved back to California a few years ago, I tried to get everyone together again for the Fourth of July, without success. So far! Hmmm…I might have another card to play yet.
In the year my grandson was about to turn three, I began to cajole my children to have a Fourth of July picnic. I had missed out on this holiday during my child-hood years while growing up on the prairies of Canada. My children were not as enthused as I was about going to a crowded park just to watch ten minutes of fireworks. I had a card to play because at the time I lived just a few blocks from a popular park where a fireworks show was being held. I won the hand!
On the day of the event I was pumped up with enthusiasm. My son and daughter-in-law parked in my driveway and unloaded the car. We filled a wagon with all the gear and goodies of a great picnic: blankets to sit on, ice, sodas, a barbeque, charcoal, chicken, hamburgers and finger-licking sauce. Joshua got to ride on his big dad’s shoulders (he is 6’4”).
My daughter Sarah came in her own car and joined us as we made the trek to the park. The air was permeated with the smell of roasted corn, savory stir-fried teriyaki, the pungent aroma of onions and cilantro from the taco booth, sizzling char-broiled burgers and sweet powder sugar dusted funnel cakes to name just a few.
There were booths with items such as hand-made jewelry, clothing and lots of shiny noisy toys for the kiddies. I bought a pair of earrings, which I lost one of years later, so I made a necklace out of the remaining one. I bought my grandson a light saber that glowed with an eerie green light (he recently told me that he had it for years). I ran around the three-tiered park with my grandson, as he took in all the sights with wide-eyed wonder.
My visual senses were electric with the energy of the moment when the show began. The bursts of fiery, vividly colorful flowers against the night sky; always left me with a sense of awe. My grandson was more thrilled by the close encounter of the sparklers, which his dad held for him, than by the expensive show. That was the last time we have gone to a Fourth of July show together as a family.
I am so thankful to have this memory as I moved to the State of Washington a few months later to help my mother. After I moved back to California a few years ago, I tried to get everyone together again for the Fourth of July, without success. So far! Hmmm…I might have another card to play yet.
Sunday, July 4, 2010
July 4th at Church, by Nobuyo Avery
"Holiday"....what a comforting word! While our children were at home, "Holiday" was the resting day from work, school, study and all the obligations and duties to fulfill during the week. It was an oasis for a hard working housewife, mother and professional to relax and enjoy a day. While my husband's uncle and aunt lived in Wilmington, California, they invited us for every holiday to their house or to the park celebrating a day with a family.
Aunt Fay was a good Southern cook who always entertained us with soft, delicious roast beef on every Sunday with tasty green beans, or corn on the cob, mashed potato with gravy, homemade bread and cakes or pies. She always served ice tea for drink. On holidays, they barbecued in the back yard or at the park. The park in general was beginning to be too crowded in later years, and Aunt Fay preferred to stay at home to cook for us. Since they moved to live in Arkansas we missed them mostly because of her delicious meals. My children always say, "Aunt Fay was a good cook!" to this day.
They were a kind and God-fearing couple who took us to church when we did not have transportation, watched and cared for our children without hesitation, and did more than our parents who were in Arkansas and in Japan. We are grateful to them, and especially Aunt Fay. They were our only close relatives in California. Since they left, it became my turn to cook Sundays and Holidays. Our kids often say, "Aunt Fay did not make like that!"
For the last twenty years or so, we have had our July 4th celebration at the parsonage. It started when Pastor Jerry and his wife Sarah invited us, all the church members, to their backyard party. The parsonage is next door to the huge church parking lot where the teens can play basketball, baseball or football. The younger ones can ride bike or tricycle. The church provides the meat and buns and we bring pot luck on the sides, baked beans, all kinds of salad and desserts.
When Jerry and Sarah were here, we chatted in their beautiful backyard with a pond and a little gazebo, enjoying church family fellowship all afternoon. After dark, we lighted the fireworks each family had purchased and brought in. The children and adults gazed at the ones shooting high up in the sky, or the ones twirling all over the ground. There were many varieties of fireworks in the sky, loud ones, colorful ones, some beautiful and some long lasting.
We enjoyed the ones in the neighborhood and in the distance, maybe shooting at the near-by parks. My favorite is the sparkler, making soft sound "spark, spark!", stretching the sparkling arms short and long for a minutes or so of enjoyment while I am holding on to the a foot long slim wooden stick. As if it were saying, "I am small and quiet but you love me more than loud, noisy and glamorous ones!”
After Jerry and Sarah left we kept it as the tradition to celebrate July 4th at church. We are looking forward to celebrate the freedom of this nation this Sunday evening with our church family and be thankful to all the sacrifices of our soldiers who made this peace possible in our country.
Aunt Fay was a good Southern cook who always entertained us with soft, delicious roast beef on every Sunday with tasty green beans, or corn on the cob, mashed potato with gravy, homemade bread and cakes or pies. She always served ice tea for drink. On holidays, they barbecued in the back yard or at the park. The park in general was beginning to be too crowded in later years, and Aunt Fay preferred to stay at home to cook for us. Since they moved to live in Arkansas we missed them mostly because of her delicious meals. My children always say, "Aunt Fay was a good cook!" to this day.
They were a kind and God-fearing couple who took us to church when we did not have transportation, watched and cared for our children without hesitation, and did more than our parents who were in Arkansas and in Japan. We are grateful to them, and especially Aunt Fay. They were our only close relatives in California. Since they left, it became my turn to cook Sundays and Holidays. Our kids often say, "Aunt Fay did not make like that!"
For the last twenty years or so, we have had our July 4th celebration at the parsonage. It started when Pastor Jerry and his wife Sarah invited us, all the church members, to their backyard party. The parsonage is next door to the huge church parking lot where the teens can play basketball, baseball or football. The younger ones can ride bike or tricycle. The church provides the meat and buns and we bring pot luck on the sides, baked beans, all kinds of salad and desserts.
When Jerry and Sarah were here, we chatted in their beautiful backyard with a pond and a little gazebo, enjoying church family fellowship all afternoon. After dark, we lighted the fireworks each family had purchased and brought in. The children and adults gazed at the ones shooting high up in the sky, or the ones twirling all over the ground. There were many varieties of fireworks in the sky, loud ones, colorful ones, some beautiful and some long lasting.
We enjoyed the ones in the neighborhood and in the distance, maybe shooting at the near-by parks. My favorite is the sparkler, making soft sound "spark, spark!", stretching the sparkling arms short and long for a minutes or so of enjoyment while I am holding on to the a foot long slim wooden stick. As if it were saying, "I am small and quiet but you love me more than loud, noisy and glamorous ones!”
After Jerry and Sarah left we kept it as the tradition to celebrate July 4th at church. We are looking forward to celebrate the freedom of this nation this Sunday evening with our church family and be thankful to all the sacrifices of our soldiers who made this peace possible in our country.
Saturday, July 3, 2010
Independence Day, by Noemi S. Rabina
The Philippines has been under the rule of Spain for hundred years. General Emilio Aguinaldo declared its independence on June 12, 1898 when Spain surrendered to the United States with its colonies. The Philippines then became a commonwealth country of the United States and Manuel L. Quezon was the first President. The country aspired to become completely independent as the president said, “it is better to live in a poor man’s house and be free than to live in a rich man’s palace and be a slave.”
In 1941, Japan was at war with the United States and being a commonwealth country, the Philippines was also at war. Our country was completely conquered and was under Japan’s rule for four years. On October 1943, they gave the Philippines a mock independence, appointed Jose P. Laurel as president but they remained to be in control. In 1945, the United States liberated the country and gave our independence on July 4, 1946 under the presidency of Manuel Roxas. Thus the Philippines became a Republic. Later on, when Diosdado Macapagal was the president, a Republic Act was passed that made June 12, the first time our independence was declared, to be our official Independence Day and July 4th became Philippine/American Friendship Day. That is the brief history of the Philippine Independence.
The Philippines celebrated its 112 Independence last June 12, 2010. President Gloria M. Arroyo led the celebration at the Rizal Park in Manila. There were also celebrations in other parts of the country as well as around the world where the Filipinos are gathered. Independence Day celebration rekindles our heritage and roots. I love the Philippines. It is the land of my birth and the home of my people. It is where I was raised and became what I am now.
I love the United States of America though there are lots of things to learn in a new place. There could be cultural differences, inconsistence in language and possible changes in the standard of living. I can just relax for what the American motto states, “In God We Trust.” I love this country for the freedom of speech, of religion, freedom to socialize as we wish and equal opportunity to work with no discrimination. That is true freedom!
Independence Day is special and our gratitude to all the soldiers who made this possible. God Bless America!
In 1941, Japan was at war with the United States and being a commonwealth country, the Philippines was also at war. Our country was completely conquered and was under Japan’s rule for four years. On October 1943, they gave the Philippines a mock independence, appointed Jose P. Laurel as president but they remained to be in control. In 1945, the United States liberated the country and gave our independence on July 4, 1946 under the presidency of Manuel Roxas. Thus the Philippines became a Republic. Later on, when Diosdado Macapagal was the president, a Republic Act was passed that made June 12, the first time our independence was declared, to be our official Independence Day and July 4th became Philippine/American Friendship Day. That is the brief history of the Philippine Independence.
The Philippines celebrated its 112 Independence last June 12, 2010. President Gloria M. Arroyo led the celebration at the Rizal Park in Manila. There were also celebrations in other parts of the country as well as around the world where the Filipinos are gathered. Independence Day celebration rekindles our heritage and roots. I love the Philippines. It is the land of my birth and the home of my people. It is where I was raised and became what I am now.
I love the United States of America though there are lots of things to learn in a new place. There could be cultural differences, inconsistence in language and possible changes in the standard of living. I can just relax for what the American motto states, “In God We Trust.” I love this country for the freedom of speech, of religion, freedom to socialize as we wish and equal opportunity to work with no discrimination. That is true freedom!
Independence Day is special and our gratitude to all the soldiers who made this possible. God Bless America!
INDEPENDENCE DAY, By Gloria Hannigan
Everyone came together to celebrate the Fourth of July in my hometown, Elysian, Minnesota in the ‘40’s. The Second World War had just ended and we had much to celebrate with the return of our loved ones. Celebrating the signing of the Declaration of Independence was secondary to the pride of being loyal Americans.
The morning started with a parade down Main Street. The veterans led the parade with the flag bearers, followed by the Boy and Girl Scouts. The grade school children followed waving flags of all sizes.
Next came the mothers with babies in strollers, buggies, or their arms. The strollers and buggies were decorated with stars, and red, white, and blue streamers. The babies were dressed in patriotic outfits as there was a prize for most beautiful baby. There were a few horse and buggies brought out of the barns for this occasion, a couple of Model T Fords with as many teenagers as you could get in and on them, also the latest in John Deere tractors.
After the parade there was a program at the town dance hall. It opened with the presentation of the flag and salute to the flag, followed by the invocation by one of our many ministers. The Mayor gave a welcoming speech. The grade school children performed a skit of the signing of the Declaration of Independence. There was always a George Washington with his hatchet chopping down a cherry tree, An Uncle Sam reciting patriotic verse, and a Betsy Ross sewing stars on a flag. The program ended with everyone singing God Bless America.
In the afternoon we would meet at the ball field where our baseball team would play a neighboring town. After the game we would head for the lake shore for a picnic. We didn’t do any barbecuing then, everything was prepared at home. There were wash tubs and large Coleman chests of ice to keep salads, watermelon, and drinks cold. fried chicken was always abundant with potato salad, deviled eggs, and a table full of cakes and pies. The watermelon was fresh off the vine and this was the one time we were allowed to spit the seeds at each other.
As the sun set over the lake, the fireworks started. We listened for the whoosh of the bottle rockets, watched them arc over the lake and heard the sizzle as they came down in the water. There was the pop of penny firecrackers and the loud bang of the larger ones. We wrote our names in the dark with sparklers and threw them in the lake when they got to hot to handle.
After the fireworks we packed up and headed for home to lay down our heads and dream the American dream of parades and flags, songs and skits, baseball and fireworks, and ice cold watermelon.
The morning started with a parade down Main Street. The veterans led the parade with the flag bearers, followed by the Boy and Girl Scouts. The grade school children followed waving flags of all sizes.
Next came the mothers with babies in strollers, buggies, or their arms. The strollers and buggies were decorated with stars, and red, white, and blue streamers. The babies were dressed in patriotic outfits as there was a prize for most beautiful baby. There were a few horse and buggies brought out of the barns for this occasion, a couple of Model T Fords with as many teenagers as you could get in and on them, also the latest in John Deere tractors.
After the parade there was a program at the town dance hall. It opened with the presentation of the flag and salute to the flag, followed by the invocation by one of our many ministers. The Mayor gave a welcoming speech. The grade school children performed a skit of the signing of the Declaration of Independence. There was always a George Washington with his hatchet chopping down a cherry tree, An Uncle Sam reciting patriotic verse, and a Betsy Ross sewing stars on a flag. The program ended with everyone singing God Bless America.
In the afternoon we would meet at the ball field where our baseball team would play a neighboring town. After the game we would head for the lake shore for a picnic. We didn’t do any barbecuing then, everything was prepared at home. There were wash tubs and large Coleman chests of ice to keep salads, watermelon, and drinks cold. fried chicken was always abundant with potato salad, deviled eggs, and a table full of cakes and pies. The watermelon was fresh off the vine and this was the one time we were allowed to spit the seeds at each other.
As the sun set over the lake, the fireworks started. We listened for the whoosh of the bottle rockets, watched them arc over the lake and heard the sizzle as they came down in the water. There was the pop of penny firecrackers and the loud bang of the larger ones. We wrote our names in the dark with sparklers and threw them in the lake when they got to hot to handle.
After the fireworks we packed up and headed for home to lay down our heads and dream the American dream of parades and flags, songs and skits, baseball and fireworks, and ice cold watermelon.
Friday, July 2, 2010
Fourth of July, by Margaret Takacs
Fourth of July -- just to mention the name of the day -- memories of happy times come to one’s mind: marching bands, veterans proudly carrying billowing flags, caravans of cars loaded with children, heading toward picnic places, baskets filled to the brim with food, tempting aromas drifting from backyard barbecues, spectacular fireworks lighting the skies at night. Celebration! Celebration of freedom is everywhere in the air!
Coming from a world in 1948 where freedom was just buried, celebration of freedom always has a special meaning for me. I came from a small war-torn country of Europe, named Hungary, which burned her name with blood into the conscience of the free world in 1956. Marrying my husband, an American citizen, I became one of the privileged few who were able to leave the stronghold of communism behind.
Since at that time I was genuinely petrified from flying, we crossed the Atlantic on a steamship, the “U.S.S. Washington” and became seasick through the whole journey. Give me the peace of the Pacific any time!
The Atlantic is a very violent ocean. So after the misery of five days, the sight of the Statue of Liberty and the realization that I had reached the land of the free became an unbelievable happiness. My first impressions of America were not totally influenced by the sight of the New York skyscrapers, but by the abundance of wealth manifested in everything everywhere. Somehow I began to feel America's power; later on I came to understand how America got there.
The U.S. with her richness and might became the world’s first and foremost power, not just because of the abundances in natural resources and the wealth in brainpower, but because of a solid foundation based on the principle that all men created equal and have an indelible right to pursue prosperity and happiness.
Fourth of July, Independence Day as we called independence, means freedom. Freedom is the most magnificent privilege a human being can enjoy. Freedom is defined as "a lack of force." It is a short definition, but it carries an immense weight. Freedom is a magic word which can build spaceships soaring over our earth, tear down the Berlin Wall, and with it the stronghold of the inhuman communism, giving to people the freedom, privilege and power to chose and govern their destiny.
America's freedom of choices, free enterprises created the most prosperous society of the century. Prosperity we created; with it, the most materialistic society, which set no limitation on anything and in the process lost some moral foothold on traditional values, destroying the very values which helped to achieve greatness.
On September 11, 2001 came a wakeup call, like a powerful earthquake which shook us up in our comfort zone, in our American way of life. The enormity of the terror and possibility for more to come present the necessity to do some soul searching, reassess our values to set our principles right. Now it is up to us to do JUST THAT.
Coming from a world in 1948 where freedom was just buried, celebration of freedom always has a special meaning for me. I came from a small war-torn country of Europe, named Hungary, which burned her name with blood into the conscience of the free world in 1956. Marrying my husband, an American citizen, I became one of the privileged few who were able to leave the stronghold of communism behind.
Since at that time I was genuinely petrified from flying, we crossed the Atlantic on a steamship, the “U.S.S. Washington” and became seasick through the whole journey. Give me the peace of the Pacific any time!
The Atlantic is a very violent ocean. So after the misery of five days, the sight of the Statue of Liberty and the realization that I had reached the land of the free became an unbelievable happiness. My first impressions of America were not totally influenced by the sight of the New York skyscrapers, but by the abundance of wealth manifested in everything everywhere. Somehow I began to feel America's power; later on I came to understand how America got there.
The U.S. with her richness and might became the world’s first and foremost power, not just because of the abundances in natural resources and the wealth in brainpower, but because of a solid foundation based on the principle that all men created equal and have an indelible right to pursue prosperity and happiness.
Fourth of July, Independence Day as we called independence, means freedom. Freedom is the most magnificent privilege a human being can enjoy. Freedom is defined as "a lack of force." It is a short definition, but it carries an immense weight. Freedom is a magic word which can build spaceships soaring over our earth, tear down the Berlin Wall, and with it the stronghold of the inhuman communism, giving to people the freedom, privilege and power to chose and govern their destiny.
America's freedom of choices, free enterprises created the most prosperous society of the century. Prosperity we created; with it, the most materialistic society, which set no limitation on anything and in the process lost some moral foothold on traditional values, destroying the very values which helped to achieve greatness.
On September 11, 2001 came a wakeup call, like a powerful earthquake which shook us up in our comfort zone, in our American way of life. The enormity of the terror and possibility for more to come present the necessity to do some soul searching, reassess our values to set our principles right. Now it is up to us to do JUST THAT.
Thursday, July 1, 2010
I Found My Husband in the Tenth Grade, by Yolanda Adele
I was fourteen and in the tenth grade when I found the person who would ultimately become my husband. He was older than me by two years. Though Vic was in the eleventh grade he had to repeat tenth grade English composition.
The first time I walked in to the class room I saw his head resting on his folded arms on top his desk. I had never seen such beautiful blond wavy hair on a boy. It was the color of country butter. I was tempted to run my fingers through those thick sassy golden tresses as I passed his desk.
Unfortunately, students had to sit in alphabetical order, my last name, Yudico, started with “Y” which put me at the back of the class. His name Adele began with “A”, so we were at polar ends of the room. I spent most of the class time peering around the students sitting in front of me. I tried to get a look at his face.
I hoped and waited for the teacher, Mrs. Christopher to tell him to sit up straight. But she didn't. When she called his name at roll call he merely grunted "Here!" and she noted his attendance.
After the class period was over I scurried to make my way to the front of the room to get a better look at him. By the time I got there he was gone.
The next day I nervously waited at the front door of our English classroom until he finally sashayed by me, but not before he turned to glance at me with his majestic powder blue eyes. He was beyond movie star good looks; he was “Adonically” gorgeous!
Suddenly it became difficult for me to catch my breath. Simultaneity my knees felt weak, my heart pounded like bass drums in my ears, I was sure he must have heard it too. I felt my neck and face swelter. I really didn’t understand what was happening to me. I wondered if it was just a coincidence that I got sick at that point or was my girlfriend right when she later said that I was under some kind of spell?
He was extremely good looking, but there was something else about him that made me feel safe and special just to be near him.
The first time he kissed me, I was going down the steps of our high school library and he was going up the steps. When we saw each other we stopped and just stared at one another until the staircase was empty of other students, and faculty.
Then he came up to the same step as I was on. He wrapped his arms around my waist, and then gave me my first “grown up” kiss on the mouth; like I’d seen in the movies. He lit my world like the 4th of July.
Two years later we were married.
The first time I walked in to the class room I saw his head resting on his folded arms on top his desk. I had never seen such beautiful blond wavy hair on a boy. It was the color of country butter. I was tempted to run my fingers through those thick sassy golden tresses as I passed his desk.
Unfortunately, students had to sit in alphabetical order, my last name, Yudico, started with “Y” which put me at the back of the class. His name Adele began with “A”, so we were at polar ends of the room. I spent most of the class time peering around the students sitting in front of me. I tried to get a look at his face.
I hoped and waited for the teacher, Mrs. Christopher to tell him to sit up straight. But she didn't. When she called his name at roll call he merely grunted "Here!" and she noted his attendance.
After the class period was over I scurried to make my way to the front of the room to get a better look at him. By the time I got there he was gone.
The next day I nervously waited at the front door of our English classroom until he finally sashayed by me, but not before he turned to glance at me with his majestic powder blue eyes. He was beyond movie star good looks; he was “Adonically” gorgeous!
Suddenly it became difficult for me to catch my breath. Simultaneity my knees felt weak, my heart pounded like bass drums in my ears, I was sure he must have heard it too. I felt my neck and face swelter. I really didn’t understand what was happening to me. I wondered if it was just a coincidence that I got sick at that point or was my girlfriend right when she later said that I was under some kind of spell?
He was extremely good looking, but there was something else about him that made me feel safe and special just to be near him.
The first time he kissed me, I was going down the steps of our high school library and he was going up the steps. When we saw each other we stopped and just stared at one another until the staircase was empty of other students, and faculty.
Then he came up to the same step as I was on. He wrapped his arms around my waist, and then gave me my first “grown up” kiss on the mouth; like I’d seen in the movies. He lit my world like the 4th of July.
Two years later we were married.
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