A True Fourth of July Story

A few weeks ago, Dearest Husband was flying back to Dallas.  As he was getting his ticket, he observed an older gentleman insisting that a young Marine take his 1st-class ticket and busily making arrangements to trade seats with the Marine.

When DH got on the plane, he found himself sitting next to this gentleman in the back of the plane.  As they began to talk, my DH commented on the older gentleman's kindness and generosity in trading his first-class seat for the Marine's coach accomodation.

"You know why I did that?" the older man asked.  "I love this country."

He went on to explain that during World War II, his parents, living in war-ravaged Europe, subsisted on rations provided by the U.S. Army.  His father would point out the empty ration boxes and tell him, "You should love America.  They kept us alive.  If America hadn't helped us, you wouldn't be alive today."

The gentleman never forgot his father's words.  Later in life, he immigrated to America, became a prosperous business man, and has been active in American life and politics.

Why?  "Because I love this country."