President's Report

PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE

Watching television one day I saw that Florida has come

up with a new license plate commemorating the upcoming

250th birthday of the United States. It has the regular

numbers and letters like the other license plates, but this one

is red, white, and blue with a colorful America 250 emblem

in the middle with the words, In God we Trust. They said

the plate was available at our local DMV offices. So, I went

over to our local DMV office and exchanged my current

plate for this new one. It is now proudly affixed to my car.

I want people to know that I am proud to be an American.

The late 1700’s and early 1800’s was a time of revolution.

There were global democratic waves of revolt one after

another across Europe. People revolted against tyranny,

monarchy, and the powers that be. These uprisings

ricocheted and carried across the seas to the thirteen colonies.

Being tired of the policies and restrictions of England, the

colonists wanted independence and freedom. Over a period

of years, they gradually came to a breaking point. It was

time to form their own democracy. Of all the countries that

tried democracy, America was the only one to succeed. We

are the oldest democracy in the world. Actually, we are

a democratic republic. For two hundred and fifty years we

have continued being the land of the free and the home of

the brave. There is no other country like the United States.

Given the nature of mankind, our journey has not been

an easy one. The country has gone through great periods

of upheaval testing of this government and the principles

that formed its foundation. Fortunately, during the years

of crisis, there were enough citizens among the population

to keep us together and moving forward. In spite of our

challenges. we have developed into the greatest country

in the world. We are a land of opportunity and hope. Our

strength comes from the Bill of Rights and our Constitution

so well thought out and written over two and one half

centuries ago. Our strength also comes from the example of

our founding fathers who sacrificed everything to help form

a perfect union for each person where life, liberty and the

pursuit of happiness would prevail

America has been a haven for many

seeking a better life. My father

immigrated to the United States in

March of 1923 at age twelve from war

torn Europe. He left Germany while

they tried democracy after World War

I. We all know how that turned out.

My grandmother immigrated from

Sweden in 1906 seeking a better life In the Unted States.

She found freedom and opportunity with her growing

family of nine children.

Every American needs to ask themselves these two

questions. Am I willing to make some personal sacrifices to

keep our great land strong and free? In my daily decisions

and actions, am I putting my community and country’s

welfare before my personal agenda? The United States

was established on such a great foundation. Let’s commit

ourselves to do all we can to move this wonderful country

forward into the next centennial.

Dr. Kurt Miericke

THOA President

Publisher, Tuscawilla Today

Email: THOAws20@gmail.com