A Soldiers Pledge

1st ANGLICO here. My Father was a first generation American. His Father and Mother were immigrants from Slovenia. His first language growing up was Slavish and English was his second. I was constantly amazed at his ability to speak fluently with Poles, Russians, Ukraines or any Eastern Europeans that populated the General Motors town of Flint, Michigan.
My Grandfather spoke mostly Slavish and a mix of English/Slavish. Dad always spoke to Gramps in Slavish. I found it difficult to speak with Grandpa. So around the age of 8 or 9, I asked Dad to teach me Slavish, so I could speak to Grandpa easier. Dad’s, instant poignant reply has stayed with me. “You are an American, you’ll learn English”.
Dad, was an American first and foremost. He never aspired to be, in his own words, “a hyphenated American”. Such as, Slavic-American. Nowadays you hear hyphenated American all the time, in the 50’s never. Dad was wounded by sniper fire on Iwo Jima on 3/4/45 and damn near lost his leg. He had three babies at home under three years old, when wounded. Talk about quiet sacrifice and Love for America. Personally say that fits my definition.
So that is where I got my definition/understanding of being American. After spending time in some other countries (Okinawa, Philippines, Viet Nam and Panama) it solidified. I’m blessed to be American.

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