My ancestors first came to what is known as America in the 1600’s via Braintree, Massachusetts.

One ancestor deserted from the British Army during the American Revolution. My ancestors fought on both sides in the American Civil War. My maternal great-grandfather, who I remember as a child homesteaded in Nebraska. I have a photo of the sodhouse that they built on the prairie where my grandfather was born.

My great-grandfather being an adventurous man participated in the Cherokee Run in Oklahoma claiming land near what is now Enid, Oklahoma. This he farmed until his retirement and my grandfather continued. My mother grew up there, riding a horse to school.

Values that affect me and my family were established, I think by my grandmother, a school teacher and a Sunday school teacher, very knowledgabe about the Bible. My paternal grandparents were farmers in southwest Kansas. Both sides of my family experienced the dust bowl and depression.

My paternal grandparents lost their farm. I learned an appreciation for what I had, that I didn’t need it unless I had the money, and not to waste! Yet family always helped family and their neighbors. This was a very protestant caucasian experience. I was taught a strong trust and respect for the law.

Independence Day, every store was closed, a parade led by the VA, and a few fire works, sparklers and cherry bombs mostly was the celebration. It wasn’t until I married, that I began to view differently. My husband’s ROTC committment lead us to the South and segregation.

As a registered nurse, I worked in a segregated hospital in Virginia. I still remember the one big ward for blacks with one thermometer, the separate water fountains, schools, churches, etc. Churches everywhere, but few Christians. Evidently the Constitution, “we are all created equally, etc. was not honored, in fact it was a bad joke for millions of non-white Americans. We were fortunate to be posted to Germany during the Berlin Wall episode. We were there to “protect the freedoms” of the West Germans.

My education continued. I used to have tears in my eyes while looking at the flag while the Star Spangle Banner was played. I believed in the goodness of America still. Then Vietnam occured. My husband’s helicopter unit would be a part of 1st Cav. He was fortunate to have completed his obligation, so we disembarked from the military on returning from Germany.

After teaching two years at the University of Illinois, we embarked on another adventure to Kwajalein, Marshall Islands, which the US Gov. administered under UN Trust. In reality it was a missle and nuclear test site. The Marshallese and American personnel were used as test subjects with little regard for their welfare as human beings.

I was involved in cultural exchanges with the Marshallese Women and when my new friends tried to tell me about the cancers etc. that their people were experiencing, I just didn’t get it. I just never questioned that the American Government would do something wrong, would not honor our beloved Constitution, would not put the welfare of human beings first. While my husband attended law school in Lincoln, Nebraska, I participated in my first against the Vietnam War March to the capitol with my daughter in a stroller and my three sons in tow.

I became involved in the League of Women Voters focusing on education, multi-cultural, bringing truth to the text books and America’s history. I was an education advisor to the Lincoln Indian Center, and in that role met Dennis Banks, Russel Means, & Marlon Brando, while assisting in the logistics end for the Indians who came for the Wounded Knee trial in Lincoln.

I continue to speak for truth, equality, peace, and justice. I do not celebrate Independence Day! For it represents illegal occupation and abuse for millions of human beings. We are all immigrants except the Indians and Hawaiians. The 4th should be a day of humility, asking forgiveness, and reflection on what is equality and how do we make amends. I believe that we Americans can do that. It is always about choice.