In our democracy every citizen holds an office with responsibility...

[Irish_Dem]

1. I was taught these two concepts from a very early age.

From my Dad, a first generation Irish American who adored Jack Kennedy.

My dad was career US Air Force. He always said he was in the Air Force but he
worked for the AMERICAN PEOPLE. They were his bosses.

This concept made a big impression on me. We The People was real
and it was sacred. My dad was willing to die for it.

He risked his life for American freedom and to ensure every generation
did better for their children. He flew combat in three US wars and was proud and
happy to serve.

My Dad's Irish parents immigrated to the US as young adults. In Ireland for 1000 years their families had been subjugated, controlled, starved, denied their religion, the ability to read or write, own property. They were enslaved by the British.

So when my Irish family got off the ship and stepped foot on the ground in Boston Massachusetts, it was the first time in one thousand years my family had been free, truly free. (Most Americans cannot even wrap their heads around this idea.)

This fact was not lost on my father, he was proud and honored to serve the country which had taken in his family. When my military uncle was killed as a member of the US Navy in WWII bringing supplies to the marines on Guadalcanal, our family was devastated but understood we owed the United States.

Every day I post my heart on this and other forums. Standing up for what is right, defending democracy and the ideals of JFK and my father and uncle.

It is the very least I can do.