Deo Gratias

In the Jewish faith, rich in tradition and culture, on the feast of Passover, the youngest person at the table asks the question “Why is this night different from all other nights?” The question allows the children to learn of the past and to reflect on the history of their ancestors.

On this Thanksgiving Day, let us ask the question, “Why is this Thanksgiving different from all the others?” Why should our gratitude be stronger, more intense, and more meaningful in the year 2010? Let us take a moment to reflect on the events of this past year.

Thanksgiving is by its very nature a feast of reflection, of appreciation and of gratitude for all we have, all we have been blessed with. This year, unlike so many others, we here in America realized that our freedoms, our boundless opportunities, our unbridled spirit and our limitless pursuit of happiness, all those things we have taken for granted for far too many years, are not etched in stone, but only exist to the extent that we, the citizens of this great nation, are prepared to fight for them.

Remember the words of Marcus Aurelius as he spoke of Rome in the movie Gladiator “There was a dream that was Rome. You could only whisper it. Anything more than a whisper and it would vanish, it was so fragile.” We finally understood that our American Dream, all we cherish, all we hold dear for our children, could vanish before our eyes under the misguided leadership of a president and a congress that sought to destroy all that was good in America. The only safeguard for these precious blessings was the will of the patriotic citizens of our nation.

So let us give thanks for the Great Awakening of the American People. Let us gratefully acknowledge that We the People finally accepted our responsibility to become engaged in our politics, to raise our voices, and to stem the tide of socialism and the soft tyranny that would strip our away our liberties and subject us to a government leviathan, intent on crushing American greatness and prosperity. Let us pledge that our gratitude will forever be accompanied by our continued vigilance and action, for we have only slowed the demise of our country, and we must be prepared for a long fight to again right our ship of state.

Let us also remember to give thanks for the selfless sacrifices of the American warriors, both past and present, for their constant vigilance, keeping us safe from those who would do us harm, and likewise give thanks to their families, who live each day without their loved ones, hoping and praying for their continued safety. May our heavenly Father watch over each and every one of them, holding them close to His merciful breast, and shielding them from harm.

Let us, on this Thanksgiving Day, give thanks for our ancestors, our parents and grandparents, who traveled to this land of opportunity in hopes of providing us with a better life. If you are fortunate enough to still have your parents and grandparents, call them and thank them. Tell them you love them. Thank them for your life in America. If they are gone, and if you believe in an afterlife as I do, thank them in your thoughts – they will surely hear you and smile.

For those of us with children and grandchildren, thank God for the joy they bring to our lives, for their love and affection.

Finally, let us drop to our knees and give thanks to our God, whose divine mercy has placed us here, in this great nation, at this special time, blessed beyond the dreams of all the other people on this planet. Let us accept these blessings, cherish them, and be the stewards who will pass them on to future generations of Americans, who must always do their duty to make this world a better place in His name.

Deo Gratias.

A Pledge to America's Veterans

You don’t know me, but my name is Nico, and I am one of countless Americans who have been awakened to our duty as citizens of this great nation.

Up until about a year ago I never did anything that could be considered serving my country. I never put my plans on hold, left family and friends, sacrificed, or put my life on the line for a greater cause. No, I am just one of millions of Americans who have enjoyed the American Dream, lived a good life, and taken for granted all the wonderful blessings and liberties that we have in this great nation, and which are safeguarded for us, as they have been for generations of Americans, by a long line of selfless warriors, of which you and your fellow veterans are but the latest in that time honored tradition.

You men and women who have served this country, and who continue to serve this country, are the very backbone of our society – you are the deterrent that keeps us free – you are the tip of the sword that keeps our enemies at bay – you are America.

Today, there are things going on in our country which have caused many citizens to realize that our freedoms, our traditions and our culture, indeed our very way of life, are but fleeting treasures, which can evaporate before our very eyes when we forget that vigilance is the responsibility of every American.

We can no longer ignore the political ramifications, economic impacts, and foreign policy trials that are the consequences of elections based on immediate gratification, entitlements, and a lack of sacrifice. The American Patriots in every town are rediscovering that, who we are as Americans, what we stand for, and the founding principles of our nation, matter and are worth fighting for.

I have become actively engaged in what has become the Tea Party movement. I have finally found a small way to serve, to make my meager contribution to preserve this country for future generations. I have spoken at rallies, at group meetings, and have organized small groups of concerned citizens at dozens meetings in New Jersey, and have personally spoken to thousands of concerned citizens. Their concerns and their passion about restoring America to its greatness are real and this is what I want to share with you.

These people want a constitutionally responsible, small government. They want fiscal responsibility. They want a return to personal responsibility, free markets, and individual liberties. Besides these virtues, the single most significant thing that unites these people is their respect and love for this country’s veterans and those now serving in our military. They understand the sacrifice. They finally get it.

You all need to know that the vast majority of Americans think of you often, and they now pray for the safety of those serving today, and support the sacrifices of their families. The people I have come in contact with certainly feel that way, and their respect and gratitude towards our veterans is warm and heartfelt. I wanted you know that.

So what I am trying to say is Thank You, thank you all for all you have done, for all the good that you represent. I know that I speak for many, many Americans, and likewise for countless generations of people from every corner of the world, who owe their lives, their freedom, and their opportunity to those of you who sacrificed so much for a greater good.

We citizens now do solemnly swear to do our part, to fulfill our obligations as citizens, to safeguard our heritage, and to remain vigilant over those we place in power. We will treasure, nurture and sacrifice to preserve The Dream that you have gained for us, so that it may become the sacred inheritance that we bequeath to our children and our grandchildren.

To do that, we will teach our children and grandchildren why we honor you veterans. We will teach them our history, teach them of our sacrifices, and teach them of their obligations as citizens. We will tell them what happens when we are not vigilant caretakers of our democracy. We will make it clear to them that freedom is not free. Great words, but what do they mean?

We will show them pictures of the cemeteries throughout Europe and the Pacific filled with American graves. We will take them to National Cemeteries honoring our veterans – let them try to fathom the endless rows of graves. Take them to the Vietnam Memorial – let them touch the names engraved in stone. Walk them through the WWII Memorial and through the sacred fields of Gettysburg, where 147 years ago, 3 days of battle resulted in some 50,000 casualties. We will show them what those words mean, “Freedom isn’t free.” We will make it real; make it important, lest they ever forget.

God bless you all.
Nico Rago

Portions of this essay are taken from my Independence Day Address and also from a personal letter to a special young man now serving our country. – N.