ORIGINAL ART PAINTED PLEIN AIR AT AN 1800’S RENDEZVOUS BY PAUL BOECHER©

“It is through this mysterious power that we too have our being, and we therefore yield to our neighbors, even to our animal neighbors, the same right as ourselves to inhabit this vast land.”   Sitting Bull

As an American, I am proud to call the United States my home. Not simply because of the freedoms we have grown too accustomed to, but also for the fact that this nation is a compilation of many nations.

I’ve been told that I may have an ounce of native American blood flowing in my veins.  I wouldn’t be surprised, because I have just about every other kind.  Maybe I should have my DNA tested by Ancestry.com. My heritage includes Irish, English, Swedish, French and German.  I guess you could say I’m made up of a whole conglomeration of countries.

If I do, in fact have native blood, I would be even more proud to call myself an American.  Without the original natives, our country would never have come to be. They were there when the first pilgrims landed and set up a colony.  They were there to guide newcomers across unknown territories and teach them to track and kill game for their provision.  They were willing to share their lands with them.

We are a nation of many cultures – many origins – many beliefs and backgrounds.  When the founders wrote the Constitution, they knew that many more would come and that document would have to allow for all of that.  Our founders had a strong commitment to the truth that all men are created equal and should have equal rights under the law.

As we celebrate this special birthday of our nation, we should recall our own heritage and how each one has played a part in the blending of what we now have.  God bless our country – a coming together of many and the unity of all.GO