DEAR EDITOR:
This past weekend I lost power twice — once during the early morning Saturday and then at 7:45 p.m. on Sunday for a few hours. As I sat in my recliner looking around the room with the flickering candles, I began thinking how far we have come in America. When the electricity went out, it also affected my gas furnace. So, I began to feel the temperature in the room drop.
Looking back on the various times in our history, I wondered how I would have handled the hardships those individuals had to face. If it was not for their determination, entrepreneurship, inventions, faith and belief what would our country be today? America was built from many backgrounds and nationalities speaking various languages. Knowing the country was founded and written in English, they learned to speak it in order to communicate. They wanted to be a part of the new nation and be called an American. My grandparents came from Denmark and Germany, and they are a perfect example for my family and me.
Thank goodness for those electric workers who were able to restore the power enabling my lights, heat and TV to come back on. These things I take for granted every day.
We all are blessed with different talents. The key is finding out in elementary and high school what your path will be. I knew I wanted to go in the military because of American history. College, trade schools, the military and your own natural talents are what make us.
Living with COVID the last two years, if anything, has shown us how important everyone is in order to get the job done. Lately, the weather has an impact on getting things accomplished as well, not to mention the social contact individuals are missing.
Here is a suggestion. Take a few moments to recognize what our past was, but look at how far we have come because of the Constitution, Bill of Rights and the amendments.
CMSgt. J. LORI STONE
USAF (Ret)
Youngstown