A Fourth of July reflection from abroad by Nolan Peterson, The Daily Signal’s foreign correspondent, prompted readers to share their own thoughts about America’s place in the hearts of those yearning for freedom, whether in Iraq or Ukraine.
Here’s a sampling, edited only for style, with the permission of the writers.
Great Spark of Hope
Mr. Peterson,
I do not often agree with The Heritage Foundation or the articles published by The Daily Signal, but I was moved by your piece “On Freedom and a Fourth of July Abroad.”
Your article reminded me of the great spark of hope that America and her military can inspire.
So often during our national discussion we forget the larger duty America has to oppressed peoples and nations throughout the world. We forget that the true power of American support comes not only in the form of soldiers and money and materiel, but in hope: renewed faith that dreams of freedom, equality, self-determination, and basic protection of civil liberties will not long be dreams deferred.
I struggle to this day to divine where I stand on war and violence and the role of the American military in the world, and it is because your article provided me with a modicum of clarity that I write to you today.
Your article reminded me of the great spark of hope that America and her military can inspire in the souls of men and women downtrodden and oppressed—something I often forget.
This must be something that I consider more frequently as I move forward with my discernment. For your reminder, I say thank you.
I hope you enjoyed your Fourth of July weekend.
Best,
Billy Ford
College of the Holy Cross, Class of 2019
Worchester, Massachusetts
Please tell those you come in contact with that we pray for their countries and for peace for them all.
Heartfelt Sense of Duty
Dear Nolan,
Thank you for your inspiring and uplifting article. It meant so much to read about the various peoples in these hot spots around the globe and their true allegiance and feelings toward America.
We only wish that the the various warring factions that we are helping could be given more of what they need to battle communism and Muslim aggression, particularly the peshmerga. Hopefully we will see changes in this aspect with a new administration in Washington, D.C.
If you are in these various areas again, please tell those you come in contact with that we pray for their countries and for peace for them all, and that we will never forget them.
It makes me think of World War II and the assistance that was provided to various countries and how so many of those survivors have not forgotten the Americans who sacrificed so much for them. I know many of them still tend and visit so many of the American cemeteries throughout Europe, and have a heartfelt sense of duty and support of our country.
Thank you for your service and for visiting and reporting on these areas of the world. We haven’t forgotten any of you who have fought for us throughout the world and have joined forces with those in the Baltics and elsewhere.
Blessings to you,
Karen Schweiker Bell
David Bell
Arizona
What We Have Stood For
Mr. Peterson,
Thanks for your service. If not for our military, I don’t think we would have much to be proud of today.
I’m glad there are people who do appreciate what we have stood for and are happy to fly and display our flag. I pray that once again we will have the will to be that light of freedom to the rest of the world.
May God bless those who are fighting for basic freedom and may we be united against those forces that destroy freedom at home and abroad.
God bless,
Cathy Gordon
Absolute Love and Awe
Thank you, Mr. Peterson, for such a hopeful article.
I lived in Holland during the Second World War, and we had this absolute love and awe for the Americans and the United States.
These precious people whose faces and statements you write about are in my mind and heart and give me hope.
Yvonne Viguerie
How High America Stands
Nolan,
Happy Fourth of July 2016 from Bangkok.
Great article; the average citizen doesn’t realize how high America stands to the rest of the world, in the realm of freedom. Keep up the good work, and be careful, buddy.
I’m an old Navy carrier pilot who graduated preflight a couple of classes ahead of Neil Armstrong in 1950. We have a few of the old types from way back here in Bangkok, and will get together today [July Fourth] to say hello.
John David “Jack” Williams
Lt. Cmdr., U.S. Navy (ret)
Bangkok, Thailand
The people you describe that love our nation and are grateful for past and present help are wonderful to hear about.
Chance to Better Understand
It was so good to read your article. I fear for our once great nation, for there are so many who want us to be other than a republic or a free nation.
The people you describe that love our nation and are grateful for past and present help are wonderful to hear about, for it is not often that the good-news stories of war-torn countries are shared.
Thank you for being there. It’s a chance to better understand somewhat of what is going on … because liberal media is not honest either. Integrity and honesty are a rarity, and I include for pure love of country, but I hope for change.
I’m just a little old lady here in America, soon to be 90 (scary), so it’s rather like living in a foreign land where our president is a liar and is not held accountable, or all of his administration. Even our GOP leaders are a disgrace.
I was a young teenager when the Japanese bombed Pearl Harbor, Oahu, Dec. 7, 1941, and we students of Kamehameha Schools for Girls heard and saw the Japanese “Zeros” dive-bombing, the smoke and fire, from high above on Kapalama Heights.
We were not believing all we heard or saw because the Honolulu newspapers and radio stations had previously advised that military maneuvers were scheduled for that weekend.
Following the attack, military law was declared and we citizens were pressed into action to save our nation. I know about gratitude!
I wish you well and be safe,
Hannah Johnstone
They love the idea of America. They aspire, they dream, of what we already have.
Freedom-Loving People
Nolan,
Just want to thank you for your thought-provoking piece, “On Freedom and a Fourth of July Abroad.” It was spot-on.
People in the U.S. really don’t understand what’s going on in Donbas, Ukraine, or why it matters. Or how we’ve supported freedom-loving people in the past. One of my former instructors years ago helped train Tibetan guerillas in the mountains of Colorado.
I spent 30 years in HUMINT [human intelligence] before transitioning to the private sector in 2013. My wife is Russian, born and raised in Moscow, the daughter of dissidents who still live and work there (and who detest the Putin regime).
My wife and I adopted our youngest daughter from Ukraine, from a small village north of Mariupol. She came here five years ago, at the age of 10. Spoke four words of English. Now her English is as good as yours or mine. So what happens in Ukraine is personal for us. And for me.
Most of the Ukrainians we know here in the D.C. area are expats; we’re having a couple from Sevastopol over this evening. They love America. They love the idea of America. They aspire, they dream, of what we already have.
I wish we had a coherent, workable strategy to help them get there. Because ever since Putin executed whatever Crimean land-grab CONOP [concept of operations ] he had on the shelf in March 2014, we haven’t shown much in the way of strategy, message, or resolve.
Keep up the good work.
Fred Hoffman
Washington, D.C.
