Immigration To America

My wife and I went to Frankenmuth Michigan, the other weekend. We usually go up there once or twice a year. That's where I proposed to my wife, so it holds some sentimental value for us. It is also the biggest Christmas town in America. "Bronner's Christmas Wonderland", which is in Frankenmuth, is the world's largest Christmas store. If you love Christmas, I encourage you to visit Bronners in Frankenmuth. It is so decorated with lights, horse drawn carriage rides through the small town, it is so beautiful.

Frankenmuth was founded by German immigrants back in 1845. The town is called Little Bavaria , and it will take you back to a taste of the German way of living. The people are friendly, peaceful and ready to show you around.

While we were enjoying our dinner, I started to look around the dining room. There were Asian people, Indian people, and Muslims, all enjoying their meals with their families, just like I was. There were no looks, no remarks, just people enjoying an evening out. Lots of cameras taking pictures, as this is a town that has people from all over the world that come to visit. Presidents, heads of States, famous actors, athletes, you name it, there have been a ton of famous and different people come here for the same reasons that I come here for. If you go to Bronners, you will see all their pictures plastered all over the walls.

I started to think to myself, "What is America?" Why is there such immigration to America? All these different people make up who we are. There is no other place in the world like the United States. We are unique in the fact that a person can come here and have every advantage as anyone else, for freedom and the right to pursue happiness and a better way of life.

Remember when we had to say this every morning in school? I remember doing this every single day. I don't know if they still recite this in the schools any more, but I wanted to put it here for all of you to read. Read it and really give it some thought. Let the words go through your thought process and think about them for a moment.

"I pledge Allegiance to the flag

of the United States of America

and to the Republic for which it stands,

one nation under God, indivisible,

with Liberty and Justice for all"

There are a lot of people that are offended by that for many different reasons. Some are religious reasons and others are political reasons, but put all those aside for a moment and think about the words.

Now there are countries that you can go to where you don't have to pledge anything, but I guarantee you won't have the same freedoms or opportunities that you receive living in America. Why are there so many people trying to get in here, legally and illegally, to America every year? It's called freedom and a chance for a new life. It has always been the same ever since the first Pilgrims landed back in 1620.

America is you and me. Red, yellow, black and white; Muslim, Christian, Jew; male and female. old and young, rich or poor, we all live here together. Keep your heritage, and let me keep mine. Worship your God as you please, but let me do the same. Just remember that there are others that you must share this space with. Be kind and gentle, understanding and compassionate, not just about your own needs but also the needs of others.

Let’s focus, not just on the differences that we have, but on the strengths of our connectivity. There are issues and points that we will never agree on or connect to. Let's find and accentuate the positives and build on the common grounds, not tear down. Tearing apart and destroying is such a mindless and easy thing to do. It's not hard to destroy something, but It takes work and thought to build and think things through.

Our forefathers worked hard to lay out laws and rules that would protect people such as I have just described. I know that in a real world, things go wrong. Rules and laws are broken and thoughtless, mindless people come in and try to destroy and take with only themselves in mind.

We are not a perfect country because there are no perfect human beings, but we are prudent and we persevere. We don't quit and we don't let these few come in and gain the strong hold or the upper hand. We will only survive as long as we never quit on our country and on each other.

Thank you and God bless America.