What It Means to Me to Be an American

Rural Insights will be publishing a series of articles about What Does It Mean To Be An American and What Does Our Citizenship Require of Us. We are asking a cross section of authors to write for us, including your friends and neighbors. So if you would like to write a few paragraphs on this topic please send them to us and we will consider publishing them. It is our hope that this series will start many conversations among neighbors, friends and family. Let us know what you think.

— David Haynes

I cannot separate my background from my evolved definition of what it means to be an American.

My grandparents were among the first American units overseas in WWI serving in the Lakeside Hospital Unit out of Cleveland OH led by Dr George Crile. They were based in Rouen France. My grandmother was a triage nurse along with one of her sisters. The oldest sister was a doctor. My grandfather (to be) was a medic and an ambulance driver. My father was a B-17 pilot flying out of Rattlesden England in WWII. He flew 27 ½ missions, was shot down over Berlin and was a POW in Stalag Luft III. He never lost a crew member, but did lose 3 airplanes. He was a decorated and very competent combat flyer. Dad’s sister served as a nurse in WWII and later set up triage and intake procedures for Bahrain. My wife spent 38 years in the US State Department and retired as Minister Consular for Consular Affairs in London. All were very active in civic affairs and organizations. My son and grandson served in the Army, my son in Afghanistan.

I am a graduate of the US Naval Academy (Annapolis) and my brother a graduate of the US Military Academy (West Point). I was raised an Eisenhower Republican.

I was raised in a small town in Ohio where my family had been for generations. I felt like I was a normal kid with loving, somewhat laissez faire parents who didn’t seem to influence decisions made by a growing boy. I got my feet on the ground and managed to blunder through youthhood and was appointed as a qualified alternate to Annapolis by the Secretary of the Navy. I did ok and was commissioned in the Navy Civil Engineer Corps (think Seabees).

Being a Naval Officer both on active duty and in the Naval Reserves was an absolute honor. I was proud to serve my country. I was privileged to learn from great Chief Petty Officers and Commissioned Officers. I apparently was ready to command when my time arrived and commanded two units as a Navy Captain. The support I received in those two assignments was phenomenal!

My service in the US Navy and my civilian experience as a Program Manager for Facilities design, construction, and management in ten different countries working with host nation contractors and both the State Department and the Department of Defense contributed significantly to my evolution as an American patriot.

The United States of America is as strong as its citizenry. We founded a nation based on Democracy. Freedom from oppression. Freedom of religion/no religion. Separation of Church and State. Our economic system evolved as capitalism, the ability to get ahead based on your capability. Our government has gone back and forth between helping raise up our citizenry and benefiting the wealthy. We often were a beacon of hope for the downtrodden of the world and we helped them attain a level of sustainability.

Democracy is a participatory system and people vote for their government. If it isn’t participatory, it isn’t democracy. Article 1 of the Constitution establishes the House and the Senate who represent the citizens of the United States of America. The Executive Branch and the Judicial Branch uphold the Constitution for the benefit of our citizens. If “we the people” are not being heard, we need to fix it.

How is America doing after 250 years?

We did well in WWII. Our industrial surge and ability to get our fighters to where they needed to go with what they needed was remarkable and we and our allies won, but at a horrendous cost of lives. After WWII we sometimes supported elements that enriched our “elite” rather than those who were seeking Democracy. Storied Marine General Smedley Butler’s book “War Is a Racket,” based on his own experiences, surmised that war is fought for the benefit of a handful of wealthy people.

John F. Kennedy’s “Ask not what your country can do for you, but what you can do for your country” was a call to all Americans. When at the Berlin Wall, he said four times “Let them come to Berlin” if they didn’t understand the conflict between the free world and communism, if they thought communism was the wave of the future, if the West thought they could work with the communists, and if they thought communism had economic benefits. “Let them come to Berlin.” Then he said “Ich bin Ein Berliner” showing US support for our allies.

Neither Vietnam nor the following wars in the Middle East seemed to advance freedom and were extraordinarily expensive in terms of people and money. We did not attain our goals. Knowing history from all standpoints is critical to informed decisions as we proceed through future history.

What does it mean to be an American? It does not mean being a passive bystander.

Stand up for those unable to stand up for themselves. Helping the sick and hungry. Create jobs for those who want to work but can’t. Give people a purpose.

Paying attention to what is happening in the world and why it’s happening. Think critically and determine what is in the interest of our country and our people.

Involve yourself in politics supporting what you believe in and what candidates/ platforms can best serve our country.

Be a beacon of hope worldwide for freedom from oppressive regimes.

Recognize what is self-serving to a small number of people and not our country.

Separate Church and State.

Participate in your community. Welcome newcomers. Run for office. Join local service organizations.

Support your local schools and their activities.

Advocate for world class education and training. A capable citizenry is the best way to perpetuate a democratic society and fend off those who would steal our freedom.

Understand climate change and its existential threat to life on earth. Advocate for clean/ sustainable energy and emission free transportation.

Volunteer. If there isn’t an organization filling a need, start one.

I, being an American patriot, believe in what I have written. When I see oppression, I speak up. When I see something that is patently false, I speak up. When I see the good in humanity, I celebrate.