“I Love My Life”
[Guest post by DRJ]
Post at NRO, sent by a Denver reader:
“Today I celebrate my 21st anniversary of my U.S. Citizenship. Received in uniform, on board my ship “Old Ironsides” (USS Constitution), in the middle of Boston harbor during the annual “Turnaround Cruise”.
My commanding officer, a good man, made this happen for me. Me, a lowly enlisted immigrant who made it to these blessed shores, determined to earn my citizenship by enlisting in the mightiest Navy in the world.
My Commander stopped the ship, halting the nearly two thousand vessels following us – everything from kayaks to luxury yachts – and told the several hundred on board that they were about to witness the swearing-in ceremony of one of his crew.
Admiral Crowe, Chairman Joint Chiefs, was our guest of honor. He welled up, and had to pause several times in his introduction of me to the crowd. A Federal judge then swore me in, the second time I had the honor of swearing allegiance to the Constitution (the first being when I had enlisted a few years prior).
It was the finest, proudest most grateful day of my life.
So today I shall play catch with my kids, and raise my glass to this special country that has been and remains a beacon of hope and liberty to the world’s oppressed. With my neighbors, we shall grill burgers and dogs, drink beer, let the kids light a few hundred dollars worth of fireworks and toast our men and women in uniform.
I love my life.”
I raise my glass to you.
— DRJ
It never gets any better than this.
AD - RtR/OS! (ed07ac) — 7/4/2010 @ 7:11 pmWelcome Home, Sailor!
This seems like the most appropriate thread to post.
Just came back from Manassas, Virginia, 4th of July. There was a minor hitch where apparently they actually set something on fire. We were literally about ready to go, when by murphy’s law, it suddenly started again.
Still all in all a good time. Happy independence day, everyone.
Aaron Worthing (A.W.) (f97997) — 7/4/2010 @ 7:53 pmHurrah!
Far
We’ve been traveling far
Without a home
But not without a star
Free
Only want to be free
We huddle close
Hang on to a dream
On the boats and on the planes
They’re coming to America
Never looking back again
They’re coming to America
Home, don’t it seem so far away
Oh, were traveling light today
In the eye of the storm
In the eye of the storm
Home, to a new and a shiny place
Make our bed, and say our grace
Freedoms light burning warm
Freedoms light burning warm
Everywhere around the world
They’re coming to America
Every time that flags unfurled
They’re coming to America
Got a dream to take them there
They’re coming to America
Got a dream they’ve come to share
They’re coming to America
They’re coming to America
papertiger (0864b5) — 7/4/2010 @ 11:43 pmThey’re coming to America
They’re coming to America
They’re coming to America
Today
I’d like to report a format glitch in the comment section, Pat.
Ah well.
papertiger (0864b5) — 7/4/2010 @ 11:47 pmThat brought tears to my eyes.
Welcome, from a fellow citizen. I’m proud that you’re one of us.
thebronze (bd11ae) — 7/5/2010 @ 1:29 amAwesome.
It doesn’t get any better than that!
EW1(SG) (edc268) — 7/5/2010 @ 4:32 amYeah, that welled me up too.
I love America.
Vivian Louise (643333) — 7/5/2010 @ 4:42 amPhenomenal story. I honestly don’t know if I could have kept myself together if I had been in his shoes.
Huzzah for the captain, and crew of the USS Constitution for this, and a hearty Welcome Shipmate to the author.
NavyspyII (df615d) — 7/5/2010 @ 4:50 amDamn dust or something in my eyes.
Virtual Insanity (d93c26) — 7/5/2010 @ 7:52 amGreetings:
Back during my all-expense-paid tour of sunny Southeast Asia, I had a Canadian citizen in my infantry squad. He had come south and volunteered to serve in our military. He was a strac trooper and never failed me on the hunt or in a fight. Whenever I think about the dirtbag Americans who ignored their duty and fled to our northern neighbor, I kind of smile and think to myself that I sure got the better of that deal. Shining city on a hill, yeah, that’s it.
11B40 (63f4ad) — 7/5/2010 @ 10:03 am