America: Our Old Oak Tree By Audra Otto Harmony, MN Two and a half centuries, 91,250 days, times of victory and times of trouble, yet one country through it all, bending but never breaking. How does a country instituted by farmers and soldiers with a government the likes of which the world had never seen not only survive 250 years, but thrive throughout that span? … [Read more...]
America: Our Old Oak Tree
American Spirit
– By Anne Doering
American Spirit By Anne Doering Harmony, MN American spirit is more than just being patriotic on the Fourth of July by waving our flag and wearing red white and blue. The United States of America is a nation of innovative and industrious people who since the Revolutionary War have always stepped up to the challenges of our lives and country. Challenges that include … [Read more...]
American Spirit
– By Karl Gorczynski
American Spirit By Karl Gorczynski Chatfield, MN This 250th Anniversary of the founding of our country is a day - a year actually - to marvel at the continued existence of this nation of which we are a part. For most of us, our descendants came here, with hope in their hearts, after this country was in full swing. So, I am here due to ‘accident of birth’, not choice. … [Read more...]
Beneke Immigrants from Germany
– By Arlene Gade
Beneke Immigrants from Germany By Arlene Gade Caledonia, MN We are very lucky to live in this country. We are free to do what we want. I am 90 years old and even my parents and grandparents were free to make their own choices. My grandparents (Beneke) came over from Germany for a better life. They wanted freedom! They made a life out of farming. It was a good life for … [Read more...]
United States of America – 250 Years Young
– By Jeffrey Ellingson
United States of America - 250 Years Young By Jeffrey Ellingson Spring Grove, MN On July 4th we will celebrate our country turning 250 years old. While 250 years sounds like a long time, let’s put this in perspective. My grandfather was born in 1906. He died in 1999. His life spanned nearly 40% of our country’s history! I was born in 1955. To date, I have witnessed … [Read more...]
America the Beautiful Shines On
– By Rose Korabek
America the Beautiful Shines On By Rose Korabek Houston, MN During America’s 250th Anniversary, pause to reflect on how the “Great Experiment” has evolved. The Founding Fathers envisioned a new country with liberty and self-governance separate from the monarchy of Great Britain, high taxation and forced religion. Patrick Henry famously declared, “I know not what … [Read more...]
USA! USA!
– By Carolyn Goree
USA! USA! By Carolyn Goree Caledonia, MN I love the saying, USA USA! I was raised as an Army brat, so freedom is very much in my blood. As a small business owner, freedom to do what I loved meant a lot to me. Freedom to do what brings joy to me in every job I held. So freedom of choice and speech is on the top on my list. Being born in 1963, MLK, and JFK are my … [Read more...]
Let Freedom Ring
– By Gloria Webinger
Let Freedom Ring By Gloria Webinger Caledonia, MN I think of I hear FREEDOM when I hear the word, America. I’m 98 years old and what I’ve seen in my lifetime is unbelievable. I worked for a TV company, “BMC.” I saw history being made when we went from black and white TV to color TV. I’m very proud of my employment with them so that means a lot to me. I lived in St Paul. … [Read more...]