Fw: Dear America...Love, Julie (a member of GSFP)
> Dear America,
>
> I was reading the news online tonight, like I always do.and I thought of
> you. I think of you often when I'm reading the news, but it hit me
> particularly hard tonight. As I read the day's litany of indecency and
> violence, I remembered a time that seems so very, very long ago, and
> missed you.more than you can imagine.
>
> I grew up in the country, the farmlands of Mississippi. We had a simple
> life, a life with your fingerprints all over it. My Dad worked long, hard
> days.but he didn't mind. He was grateful for the opportunities you'd
> given him, for the chance to raise his children in a country that stood
> for everything good and decent. My Mom chased your dream in her late
> twenties, going back to college to make all of our lives better. I said
> the pledge of allegiance in class each day, proud of every word. I
> remember the first essay I wrote in school.it was entitled "The Promise of
> America." I felt so passionately about the title that the essay
> practically wrote itself. I recall feeling a little guilty when they
> awarded me a blue ribbon for something I'd enjoyed so much.
>
> Later, in the eight grade, I presented my first speech, entitled,
> "Today's Challenge, Tomorrow's Success." Again, you were my inspiration.
> I spoke of a land where anything was possible if you pursued it with all
> of your heart. I felt so blessed to have been born on your shores, and it
> showed. My speech took me all the way to the state competition.
>
> I was raised, as were all of my friends that, win or lose, you played
> fair. To do otherwise would be to dishonor the sacrifice of your parents
> and their parents. Making a "C" would result in one of my parents sitting
> up late, night after night, to help me bring my grade up. But, being
> caught cheating, well.that was the greatest shame you could bring on your
> family. Honor was everything. Fail, if you must, but never forget where
> you came from, never forget that you carried your father's name into every
> class, every test.every battle.
>
> So, I have to be honest with you, America.I'm shattered by what they say
> you've become. From my earliest days, I believed in you, in your decency,
> in your promise. I try to tell myself that it's not true, that they've
> taken you captive, that you're a victim. I try to tell myself you are NOT
> about torture, that you are NOT about killing innocent women and children,
> that you would NEVER go to war just to make a few people richer, that you
> would NEVER violate the rights of your own children. They say you have to
> play dirty, that the enemy cheats and the only way to beat him is to
> cheat. But, if you cheat in order to win.don't you stop being America?
> Doesn't that change everything you're supposed to stand for?
>
> I was in another country recently.it doesn't really matter which one.and
> a person asked me, if America doesn't believe in torture, in killing
> innocent people, in cheating in order to get richer, in lying to and
> spying on its own people, if it really is being held captive by evil
> men.why aren't its streets filled with people demanding its release?
> Their country had recently taken to the streets when its government began
> doing terrible things in its name.and their leaders weren't leaders any
> more within a week. They didn't understand how good people could allow
> America to be taken captive. I didn't have an answer. I couldn't
> understand it, either.
>
> I wanted you to know.my daughter and I have been attending lots of
> meetings and rallies and events with other people who love you as much as
> we do. We've marched, and chanted and written to our leaders demanding
> your release. This past September, in Washington, I am certain that, for
> just a few hours, I saw you in the streets. We have committed our life to
> reminding people of the immeasurable importance of the values you stand
> for.and how those values can't be bought or stolen. We love you, miss you
> and still believe in you.
>
> My mother is frightened. She tells my daughter and me to be careful.
> She says the people who hold you captive are very evil and might come
> after us, as well. I told her that I'd thought long and hard about it and
> decided that I didn't want to live in a world where America wasn't free.
>
> That's not how my parents raised me.
>
> All My Love,
>
> Julie Cuniglio
>
> _________________________________________________________________
> FREE pop-up blocking with the new MSN Toolbar - get it now!
> http://toolbar.msn.click-url.com/go/onm00200415ave/direct/01/
>