an American Holiday

We grew up reading comic books about Superman “fighting the never-ending battle for Truth, Justice, and the American Way.” Month after Month, we saw ourselves on the covers of the Saturday Evening Post, painted to perfection by Norman Rockwell; and we liked what we saw. We were the Pilgrims, the Minuteman, Davey Crocket and Daniel Boone. Life was as simple and as Black and White as our television sets that began its broadcast every day with Kate Smith singing “God Bless America.” And he did. We saw ourselves in Roy Rogers, the Lone Ranger and Hop-Along Cassidy. We were the good guys who wore the white hats. Our Fathers were boys when they stormed the beaches at Normandy,  fought the battle of the Bulge, and raised the American flag on Iwo Jima. They we’re citizen solders who defeated fascism, before returning to the farm and factory, so we could enjoy the freedom to have barbecues on the Forth of July, watch the World Series in September, go to the church or temple of our choice, or sleep late on Sundays and read the funny papers. We enjoyed freedom of the press, freedom of religion, and freedom from fear. We were never as great as we hoped to be, but we all aspired to fulfill the American dream. For all our faults and failings our ideals were as high and bright as the Statue of Liberty’s torch in  New York’s harbor and millions of people of every tribe and nation followed the Pilgrims longing to breathe free and be a part of the miracle of this “city set on a hill.” Even on America’s worst day, any Clark Kent could “go for it” and use the super power of freedom to strive for truth, justice, and the American way that rested on the Old and New Testaments and belief in the God given inalienable rights of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. Thanksgiving Day was one of America's many good ideas. This Thanksgiving it would be a good idea to bow our heads and pray, God bless America. -id