How did you celebrate the Fourth of July? Fireworks, parades, picnics, or celebrations?

There is always excitement in the air, as there should be when we celebrate this important time in the history of our country. A very important document was signed 236 years ago, and we still have our freedom to celebrate. 

The old saying, "Freedom isn't free," is true. I'd like to take this opportunity to thank those that have and continue to serve and protect our country to this day. Our freedom is the best thing we have and it often appears that other nations would like to fight for the privilege of having that. Often they bring us into battle, not necessarily for our own good because it leaves us open to criticism, but we do it for the good of others.

I feel that the freedom we have is still the very best. It’s so easy to take our freedom for granted today. Many of the problems we are forced to cope with are nothing new because history is full of violence, tyrants and outrage.

I wonder what some of these countries would do if it weren't for the generosity and help provided to them in times of disaster by the United States.

It pains me to see how many people and corporations move to other countries while still enjoying the profits and rights of this country. Greed is a green-eyed monster that is trying to destroy our industrial endeavor. This can threaten our future. It takes away jobs, particularly in the medium sector and challenges our standard of living. But, I am optimistic when it appears that some things are coming back, at least those who stayed with the American industrial program are displaying their faith and integrity as never before. 

Notice how many now label their goods, "Made in America.” Isn't it better to take a stand than to watch the millions of citizens sitting back and doing nothing?

This year, when the flags are flying and the fireworks exploding and we celebrate another year of relative freedom, let’s all resolve to do what needs to be done to bring back the freedoms lost and make this a country that is still the best.

Sing out loud and clear. Fly your flag respectively. Fill our churches so that no religion will dominate or dictate what we have built our nation and religious beliefs on. 

There was a little old man in the Care Center in New Richland, and whenever anyone asked his nationality, he proudly said, "I am an American.” He never wavered from his statement.  

When people would say, "No, I mean what country are you from?"  His only comment was, "I am proud to say that I am an American."

Wasn't he right? Aren't we all? Some may have come from other lands, like my grandmother, Christine, who was born in Denmark. But she and her brothers and sisters were taught the English language and though her parents would speak the Danish language to each other, especially when they didn't want their children to know what they were talking about, the children were never to speak anything but English. After all, they were now Americans. 

If we were born here, we may have foreign heritage, but we were nonetheless, Americans. The memory of coming into the New York harbor and seeing the Statue of Liberty was something my grandmother never forgot. 

My mother had a Vietnamese family in the headstart program. Their biggest goal was to become American citizens, which they did, as soon as they were able. 

At that time, the children were all given American names, and even their last name was changed to Trongson, because it was American to have son at the end of your last name. Mom asked them why their children were so intelligent and the father said, "Because we know how important it is to be the best American citizens we can be."

I hope that you celebrated this birthday remembering those who came, stayed and settled in this country, making it their home. Be thankful for those who have served in the military and have given us the freedoms that we have.

God Bless our land. God bless our citizens. It is only right that we should celebrate those who have been such an important part of this free country that we love.

Some of our Star Eagle readers have commented they like to read about events such as family and school reunions, birthdays and anniversaries, and birth and wedding announcements. In order to read about these important things, we need our faithful readers to pass along the information to us.  If you have news please contact me via e-mail, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.; by postal mail, P. O. Box 192, Geneva, MN 56035 or telephone, 507-256-4405. 

• Thursday, July 5th: Emma Harold, Abby Harold, Jessica Wayne, Brad Tufte, Burt Scripture, Chad Sommer, Russell Thostenson, Rhonda Grunwald, Issac Paulson, Danny Burns.

• Friday, July 6th: Kylie Titus, Brenlee Knudsen, Austin Nord, Linda Aronson, Scott Briggs, Gary Grosland, Wendy Kronberg Kammer, Travis Hanson, Paul Richards, Darrin Stadheim, James Van Riper, Kyle & Bethany Miller.

• Saturday, July 7th: Collin Christensen, Ed Possin, Elizabeth Eder, Cheryl Boverhuis, Casey Johnson, Chad Quam, Scott Reese, Jon Spatenka, Anna Jacobson, David Anderson, DeAnn Skroch.

• Sunday, July 8th: Zaine Augustine Briedenbach, Parker John & Payton Lorraine Bunn were 6 in 2011, Barb Hagen, Al Lee, Adam Arends, Jacob Terry Phillips, Deacon Thomas Lang, Summer Paulson, Deb Jacobs, Marlene Jensen.

• Monday, July 9th: Larry Otto, Corey Pence, Mavis Knudtson, Joni Calderon, Lisa Worke, Dale Peterson, Jenny Bunn, Julie & Dean Hunt, Jennifer & David Lageson.

• Tuesday, July 10th:  Kalene Larson, Ethan Green, Brett Dunlap, Sally Hanson Sadden, Suzanne Skroch Larkin, Carley Ray Talamantes, Holly Swearingen, Anna Uetcsh, Todd Borchert, Kym Cameron, Paulette Nelson, Ryan & Amy Crabtree their 6th, Dustin & Jenna Quimby.

• Wednesday, July 11th: Zoie Marie Jensen, Shirley Wallace Tennant, Nicholas Lee Shultz, Helen Scripture Schubert, Kelly Sauke, Nataniel Lizarazo, Michele Degan Reistad, Rochelle Thompson, Lisa Goodnature Noble, Christopher Olson, Jessica Mangskau, Elaine Peterson, Naomi Hemingway, Randy Borchert, Scott Knutson, Celina & Richard Drecher, David & Bonnie Jensen, Carrie (Thompson) & Danny Wichmann.

Hope you have a day filled with things that make you smile!