Hello, Everyone. Happy July 4th!
Tales about World War II were a big part of my life growing up. My great grandfather and his youngest son were soldiers, while his other 2 sons were guerillas in the Philippines fighting the Japanese occupation. They all loved their American comrades and General Douglas MacArthur. I remember the July 4th just before my great grandfather died. He took us to the Leyte Landing site where MacArthur fulfilled his “I shall return” promise. He wept as he kissed the feet of the General’s statue. I will never forget how he always said to be true to your words, and always keep your promises like General MacArthur. As I recall, everytime my grandfather taught us perseverance, GRIT, tenacity and to have a purposeful heart, he referred to it as “MacArthur’s way,” which is the essence of the American heart.
And then there was my father, who proclaimed that I must strive to come to America to live the American Dream. At 10 years old, I started dreaming of America as simply a place where there is an endless supply of “SPAM®, CORNED BEEF, Vienna sausage and TOOTSIE ROLLS®!”. As I became older, America evolved to become the ultimate destination where FREEDOM abounds–freedom from poverty– the place where I could soar high, and the yardstick was no longer an endless supply of SPAM or Vienna sausage, but endless possibilities. And oh, the places I’d go!
Indeed! Last month, I completed visiting all fifty states after twenty three years of living the American dream. What better way to express my awe than to feel the scope of wonder called the United States of America. I’ve watched in awe the endlessly fascinating interplay of colors, shadow and light on the towering rock formation of Bryce Canyon, listened to the happy prairie dog sound, and smelled the scent of sulfur spewing from the geysers of her oldest national park, Yellowstone. I’ve journeyed through the unutterable gorgeousness of Carmel’s 17 mile drive, trying to comprehend the magnificent sunset when traversing its Pacific Coast, the incomprehensible grandeur of the “Grand Canyon,” the twisting gorges of Zion National Park, the sight of a thousand bison, hundreds of mustangs, and thousands of cute faces of elks staring at me. With a grateful heart I exclaim “Dear Lord, I love this country!”
Fifty states– fifty blessings! So what’s next? The definition of the American Dream has changed for the 21st century. To some of you, it’s knowing that you can retire when you want to, and to others it’s having the confidence that you have enough assets to last your lifetime. My definition of the American Dream has changed too. It is to help you, my adopted family, get your own version of The American Dream, where you can have a happy retirement and enjoy this great country for many years to come. The American Dream is real. Let’s work together to keep it ALIVE!
Arlene Brown, ChFC, CDFA
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