I started out this e-mail by trying to describe what it means to be an American as seen from the point of an Immigrant and how much I love this country for what it has to offer. Hopefully I've done OK in doing that.

What does it mean to be an American (as an Immigrant) ? -

Throughout my life, I've been teased about the fact that I'm a foreigner. Well, that's fine with me because AMERICA is made up of "foreigners" who become Naturalized citizens, like myself and lead a much better life and cherish everything this country has to offer. I was born and raised in Praha, Czechoslovakia (at that time) and in August 1968 (on my brother's birthday) our country was invaded by the Russian Communists. Having just finished 1st grade how would either myself or my brother (4 1/2 yrs. younger) ever know what would take place next ? we didn't.

My parents made a very difficult choice in November of that year - one that would change our lives forever. We decided to leave Czechoslovakia with nothing but a suitcase in our hands (I kid you not - we left EVERYTHING behind) and head to Vienna for 3 months and eventually made our way to Winnipeg, Manitoba shortly thereafter. We lived in Winnipeg for 2 years - it was a brand new experience for us. Neither of my parents knew English (our second language) and neither did my brother or myself. I learned English very early and still remember being made "fun of" since I couldn't understand what the 2nd graders were saying to me. Well, all that changed soon after I learned English and met a girl in my class that took the time to help me learn English and kind of tell me what my classmates were saying. Remember - my 1st language (has been / will always be) is Czech but I caught on quickly. She was a friend to me that I still remember and cherish - we lived about 1 block north of their family it turns out. In fact, we still keep in touch with her family. Imagine how difficult things must have been for my parents who were in their 30's, didn't speak English, had to provide a family, sometimes both worked 2 jobs (day / night) just to make ends meet. Was it kind of rough ? YES, you better bet it was.

As I continued going to school making new friends, learning English, etc. ... times eventually got a little bit better for us, but NOT because "someone" handed things out to us - we never had that support. We 'earned' everything we had, we worked hard for it. In 1970, we finally received permission to enter the United States of America on a Green Alien Card at that time and we drove from Winnipeg, Manitoba to West Covina, California. Yes, once again, we left EVERYTHING behind except for the necessities.

Again, with no jobs lined up, my father had to go out and seek work, speaking broken English as did my mother because it's tougher to learn English the older you get. Well, thanks to a "friend" who my father helped in Czechoslovakia we are here in the United States. Again, my parents were working several jobs just to make ends meet, set up accounts, get acquainted, start feeling at home. My brother and I went to the normal schooling system and in the 70's we spent a lot of time moving around Southern California. We did that in order for my father to be able to get a better job - one that would allow both of my parents not to have to work 2 jobs in making ends meet. We lived in apartments and didn't have our own house until the mid 70's when we moved to La Verne, California and then eventually to Lancaster, California. My father found employment there where he excelled and eventually became a design architect (that was his trait in Czechoslovakia). My mother also found employment and she too worked hard and became a manager at a banking institution that eventually transferred her to Westwood, California. My father would eventually transfer to Pasadena, California as well to work with corporate. Both my brother and I went to college and received degrees, he went on to become a Board Certified Cardiologist now practicing back up in Lancaster, California.

So what's the motto of my message ?. Very simple, we came from a country that was taken over by a different lifestyle (communism). We didn't want any part of it, so we left everything behind and started a new life, 1st in Canada then in the United States. I've heard too many people here in America complaining about Immigrants this and that, that we have it rough with all of our problems here, I'm better than you because I make more money, etc. ... Well, to those people that have that attitude I ask a question - you have it a LOT BETTER than MOST other countries do. Try practicing your 1st Amendment elsewhere, try preaching your religion in other countries, try leaving the country where YOU WERE BORN and follow in OUR footsteps .... Then tell me who has it rough ?. Yeah, we have our problems in this country, but others have it worse. Respect this country, it's people (whether Immigrants or not), treat people with dignity and respect. Remember, we're ALL immigrants in one way or another. Cherish what you have in life, NOT what you DON'T have and be grateful for your life as an American.

Seeing the horrible destruction of innocent lives that were taken on September 11th, 2001 reminded me of what we went through on April 19th, 1995 here in Oklahoma City. I wanted to be a part of something unique that would show America, how much I care in helping out. I get so tired of hearing the news repeat that this "war" we are fighting is one against Muslims because it's not. For those who think that, what about all of the "Muslims" that were in the terrorist attacks on September 11th and died ?. In a time such as this we need to comfort one another and remind ourselves that "normal" people don't carry out terrorist attacks such as this. I wanted to show my love for America by participating and displaying myself in the run.

To further my love for America, I did something else to show how much America means to me. On Monday, October 29th, I participated in the American Flag Run from Norman to OKC. The "flag" was a flag that was flown by a F-16 pilot over Iraq in support of Operation Southern Watch on October 2, 2001. Proceeds from this event (running of the flag from Boston October 11th to Los Angeles November 11th) will support the victims of the tragedy on Sept. 11th. (American Flt. 11 and United Flight 175 were the 2 flights that had these origination / destination points). What an HONOR it was to be a part of this great event, seeing people pay tribute to OLD GLORY and raising donations along the way. Being a part of history for such a good cause. Eventhough I was on my bicycle, I rode 21 miles with the flag runners as well as flying a flag in my helmet and rear pack bag. There were people of ALL different nationalities and ethnic backgrounds, running strong, not so strong, people coming together for 1 goal - to show AMERICA that we DO remember September 11th and we're here to help out. The local newsmedia was overhead filming us as we ran (bicycled) the route from Norman to OKC; through the University of Oklahoma (VanFleet Oval) where President David Boren held many speeches, where Mike Burr (event coordinator) spoke. We even had Congressman J.C. Watts make a speech and then run with us for a mile or so. We stopped off for the kids at the schools, we waved OLD GLORY to everyone lined up on the streets, in parking lots, grocery stores, gas stations, etc ... It was a historical moment, one that I'm glad I had the opportunity to participate in ... thank you Mike Burr and your ENTIRE staff !!!!!.

On June 24th / 25th, 2001 I was part of a similar group of people that made a trek across the United States from New York, NY to San Diego, CA. There were 3 cyclists that dedicated 84 days on their own to bring Autism to the forefront and try and do something about it. It was titled Cycle USA to raise research money / awareness for Autism. I raised $395.00 in pledges for that cause - I don't have anyone in either family that has autism, but I was willing to make a difference and show our communities that I wanted to help out. We rode the same route (basically) from Norman to Guthrie - some 60 miles. Again, the atmosphere was the same, the love and care we showed as we cycled up the city paths, waving, smiling, talking to people, etc ... We started out as "strangers" but at the end we were all like "brothers" who've known one another forever. It was an involvement that will always be cherished by me: Thanks to John Keating, Ron Oberleitner and Bob Scott (cyclists) as well as Bill Harvey and the ton of others that helped us out. Just another example of how "Americans" came together to support a cause.

I forgot to mention that before I became a citizen of the United States, I had to study for an examination that was given to me to prove that I knew about the American History. I'm glad that I did because I understood what it means to be an American, to have the freedoms, opportunities to excel, prosper, live, feel safe, etc. ... I'm also here to tell you that 30+ years ago I would not have understood why my parents did what they did. But, I sure am glad they did, because I respect them for making that decision as much as I respect our flag / country. I'M PROUD TO BE AN AMERICAN.

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