As many celebrate this day in many assorted ways, parades, concerts, barbecues, fire works, etc.. I wonder how much thought is given to the meaning of what the day represents, It is to celebrate the birth of a nation that happened back on July 4, 1776.
I wasn't born here so if I somehow foul up some historical facts please excuse me.
I came to this country almost 58 years ago, to a country named after Americo Vespucci, and remember vividly that October 30th sailing into New York harbor aboard a Greek luxury liner named the Queen Federika.
The first welcoming sign I remember seeing was of this tall lady, known as Lady Liberty, and as I looked up at her I couldn't help but wonder how many millions of immigrants she had welcomed into America, a fairly new country made up of immigrants, the people who laid the infrastructure and who served in the military in time of peace and war.
So as I celebrate the 4th today, I think not as much of the flag, or America the Beautiful, but more of Lady Liberty and what she stands for. Today I also think of the wonderful poem, The New Colossus, written by Emma Lazarus that is engraved on a bronze plaque mounted inside the base of the statue.
Please spend some time reading and digesting the beautiful words; words that are so comforting and welcoming to strangers. There is something God like to them.
The New Colossus
Not like the brazen giant of Greek fame,
With conquering limbs astride from land to land;
Here at our sea-washed, sunset gates shall stand
A mighty woman with a torch, whose flame
Is the imprisoned lightning, and her name
Mother of Exiles. From her beacon-hand
Glows world-wide welcome; her mild eyes command
The air-bridged harbor that twin cities frame.
"Keep, ancient lands, your storied pomp!" cries she
With silent lips. "Give me your tired, your poor,
Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free,
The wretched refuse of your teeming shore.
Send these, the homeless, tempest-tossed to me,
I lift my lamp beside the golden door!"
No comments:
Post a Comment