—
My daughter plays mellophone in her high school marching band. (No shame in clicking the link to find out what a mellophone is. I had to look it up when she first started playing.) This past Friday night, I volunteered to help out the band, and I had an experience that I thought was worth sharing.
Before the game, the American flag and the state flag is brought out by the JROTC color guard, a team of four. This team of four is introduced by rank and name prior to the playing of the national anthem.
Take a moment of perspective with me. These young men and women have chosen, as high school kids, to serve their country as a career. They have volunteered their time and efforts at an age when most of us have far lesser things on their mind.
Now listen to the roll call of their last names as I remember it. My apologies if I get them wrong, but exactitude isn’t necessary here:
“Rodriquez”
“Hernandez”
“Kwan”
“Smith”
Three of the four young people who have chosen to serve their country are likely from immigrant families.
In the current political climate, I admire their choice. Consider this – people from your country are being made to feel unwelcome at best, and like second-class citizens at worst. Do you choose to serve the country that’s doing this to your people? The children of people like you are being yanked from the arms of their parents seeking a better life in this country, yet you continue to offer your time, your effort, and possibly your life to defend that country.
I am the son of immigrants. Almost all of us are. Some of us were welcome here when we came, others derided and discriminated against. My great-grandfather came here in the 1920s. Nearly a hundred years later, have we learned nothing?
Look to these young men and women and decide if you can say to their faces that they are lesser than you.
—
Previously published on johncloonan.com
What’s your take on what you just read? Comment below or write a response and submit to us your own point of view or reaction here at the red box, below, which links to our submissions portal.
◊♦◊
Sign up for our Writing Prompts email to receive writing inspiration in your inbox twice per week.
If you believe in the work we are doing here at The Good Men Project, please join us as a Premium Member, today.
All Premium Members get to view The Good Men Project with NO ADS.
A $50 annual membership gives you an all-access pass. You can be a part of every call, group, class, and community.
A $25 annual membership gives you access to one class, one Social Interest group, and our online communities.
A $12 annual membership gives you access to our Friday calls with the publisher, our online community.
Register New Account
Need more info? A complete list of benefits is here.
Photo by Mike Benson on Unsplash