Although I've only seen a few episodes of "SURVIVOR". I must admire the toughness, determination and ingenuity of the participants. Very few of us could survive those conditions.
Even though we read the words which describe the early settlements in our country, there is no way for us to know the hardships they endured to survive. Again I say, very few of us could have survived those conditions. I believe we lack appreciation for what it took to come from foreign lands to a wilderness without knowing what was in store for them.
Because I live in New Jersey where a lot of our early history took place, when I walk or drive through certain parts of our state I wonder who walked there before me and what they may have been doing or feeling. Realizing that many years ago Indians and settlers saw and occupied this same spot gives me goose-bumps. There is no way for me to know what they thought or how they felt but I know they were survivors.
Our pioneers were people like us. They were not supermen but had super inner strength that most of us lack today. Even without the natural obstacles of mountains, forests and rivers to contend with, would you cross the country in a covered wagon? Probably not. They developed a relationship with their country born of having carved a nation out of a wilderness. Even though we have been spared that challenge, we should appreciate the sacrifices made on our behalf and protect what they have given us with the same effort they made to create it.
Patriotism is not a dirty word. If you are not patriotic, tell me where else you would rather live? I won't pay your air fare but I'll give you directions.
Even though we read the words which describe the early settlements in our country, there is no way for us to know the hardships they endured to survive. Again I say, very few of us could have survived those conditions. I believe we lack appreciation for what it took to come from foreign lands to a wilderness without knowing what was in store for them.
Because I live in New Jersey where a lot of our early history took place, when I walk or drive through certain parts of our state I wonder who walked there before me and what they may have been doing or feeling. Realizing that many years ago Indians and settlers saw and occupied this same spot gives me goose-bumps. There is no way for me to know what they thought or how they felt but I know they were survivors.
Our pioneers were people like us. They were not supermen but had super inner strength that most of us lack today. Even without the natural obstacles of mountains, forests and rivers to contend with, would you cross the country in a covered wagon? Probably not. They developed a relationship with their country born of having carved a nation out of a wilderness. Even though we have been spared that challenge, we should appreciate the sacrifices made on our behalf and protect what they have given us with the same effort they made to create it.
Patriotism is not a dirty word. If you are not patriotic, tell me where else you would rather live? I won't pay your air fare but I'll give you directions.
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