Opinion: Loving the USA

I neglected to mention that Saturday last should have been my brother, Rocky Hill’s, 72nd birthday. He has been gone almost an entire generation, as he died on June 20, 2002, 19 years ago. As I tell my Facebook friends, HBD Rocky. His full name is Oliver Ralph Hill, Jr. Carrying our father’s name had to be a heavy load because our dad had an enormous presence.

Both were military veterans. Poppa Ralph in the Navy and Rocky in the Army. They were patriots, who, when their country called, they answered. I miss them both so much.

We are in the midst of the spring patriotic holidays. Many lives were sacrificed on the battlefield by men like my father and brother. The good Lord blessed and spared our family the grief of losing a loved one.

These holidays are our country’s method of honoring the brave men and women whose service protects our freedoms. Honoring our military and the country is done on these special days.

Memorial Day is May 31st. Should Americans take credit for inventing the three-day holiday weekend? Honoring our brave military personnel is the purpose of all the gatherings, parades and speeches.

Celebrating too much and driving under the Influence is a poor way to show them our appreciation. Driving is a privilege and too many people forget that and behave irresponsibly. Rights and privileges are two very different things. That is a lesson everyone needs to live by.

Pay tribute to freedom from oppression, harassment and persecution. Celebrate the bounty that being American affords its citizens.

Enjoy and be thankful for the gift of freedom. Too many people take for granted the blessings in their life.

My mother, QuoVada, dispensed an excellent piece of advice. She said “I cried because I had no shoes until I met a man who had no feet!”

Freedom means having the ability to earn a living, have a roof overhead, food in our mouths and the freedom to worship any way we choose. Earn some of that freedom by respecting every one’s rights to excel.

The doctor’s Hippocratic oath says it well. First, do no harm.

Pay back the heroes who have worked for you and given so much to protect people they will never meet. Make life better for one another. Create opportunities so others can have a better life too.

Another’s success in no way diminishes your own. Share with those who have less. Help those who in no way can help you.

Help make our country a place where everyone can succeed.

Teach your children to love this country that has given us so much. They can learn the lessons of our forefathers about life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.

Long days and pleasant nights have a great weekend.

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Readers may contact Tami Jo Nix by emailing tamijonix@gmail.com or following @TamiJoNix on Twitter.