Who are these Americans? They are natives to this land, men and women we call 'Indians'. They were defeated in battle. Cheated in treaty. Lied to in promise. Starved, abused and shipped off to the reservation. Now they reach for freedom. Turning their back on the chapters of their past, accepting the inevitable change, they stand bold and proud and defiant. "We are Americans!"

They are Europeans. Anglos, Hispanics, Germanic and Latin. They came here to America for freedom. Freedom sweet and pure. Freedom to have a business, to better their families and to worship God as they believed was right. They left their homes, they were starving and poor and oppressed; traveling across the sea to a strange and untamed land for the hope of freedom. They fought the Indians, they fought the elements, they fought each other and they settled the land. They fought for freedom before they realized that freedom was a gift from God and that God's gift of freedom was for all people ... not just them.

They came against their will frightened and ashamed in the bellies of wooden ships. They were sold to rich land owners to serve as planters and harvesters. They were oppressed and beaten. They were hungry and cold. They were refused education. They were hung from trees and burned at the stake. They were ostracized and segregated, but they fought for freedom! Freedom pure and holy. Freedom deeply cherished and hard won. They turned their backs on the pain and the suffering facing the future with determination and faith. These are Americans! read more

They fought the tyranny of the Nazis and succeeded against all odds. These are Americans who stand with their backs to the wall and cry out in one voice "IS THAT ALL YOU GOT?" Fighting again and again against evil and disaster overcoming the unbeatable and attaining the unattainable all in the name of freedom. For the hope of freedom they crawl up out of the pit of despair and stand again on their feet! read more

We will rebuild and it will be better! We will tell the stories to our children and their children will make it better and every generation will hold the torch higher and struggle to see more for the foundation of freedom is laid in our sweat and tears and the blood of our brothers and sisters! read more

By God we better not give up! We better not lay down the torch now because of some stinking hurricane! Grab hold of your faith in God and start again for this ... this is the time ... this is your time ... have faith ... do something great ... pass on the torch of freedom and make sure you do a better job than your parents did!

God bless you all!

Keep the faith!

Start again we are not yet beaten for we have not yet pulled together to fight! But you are beginning to see us pull together aren't you? Give the government a few more days and they will catch up. We are pulling together without them ... without their help ... by the grace of God we will overcome!