The following appeared in American Legion Post 56, Albert Lea, Minnesota monthly bulletin:
“Hello Fellow Veterans
“I would like to share something that occurred the other day when I was visiting a friend. I am going to call it Americanism. You could also call it American Patriotism. There were two male persons there, not your regular southern Minnesota born and bred country boys. We greeted each other and one asked me straightaway if I was a veteran and 1 replied that, yes, I was and I asked him why he asked that question. He replied that he was not from around here as I could tell from their broken English, beards, and dark complexion. They were living in St. Paul and here he has met so many veterans. He went on to say what nice people all you veterans are and what a wonderful country America is to live in. He stated that most all American people are nice and friendly. Also, how we Americans are honest, most everyone. We went on to discuss how some of the things going on are not right. We talked about immigration. My grandparents were immigrants also, but they did it the legal way. He had been in the US for over eight years and his friend had come here six months ago. He expressed how he felt it was so wrong and unfair to the people that chose to do it the right way and it takes them years of training and tests before they can be sworn in. These illegals come in and they get everything given to them right away. No control and they have no respect for the laws or anything else.
“He said he has seen the change in his eight years and how it has affected his neighborhood. You can't let your car sit in the driveway as they will come in the night and break into and ruin your property and steal everything. He said he does not understand people that tried to burn down Minneapolis and then want to defund and do away with the police. WHO IS GOING TO PROTECT US! He stated that he likes it here as everyone has the same rights, and if they break the law, they are all subject to the same punishment. Where he came from the Police were so corrupt that they can detain you, beat you, kill you and they do not have to answer to anyone. Your family may never hear or see you again. Disappear like you never existed. We visited for a couple of hours and discussed many things and when we parted I said goodbye and I hoped to meet again. I also welcomed them both to America and I can't remember when I heard anyone rave about our great nation as much as they did. They explained that all the educated people, like doctors and scientific engineers have no future there and want to come to the US to practice. I have had a couple of their doctors take care of me at Mayo and they were great. I thought that you need to hear that there are still good people on this earth that want to be Americans! “
Bob Sharp
VFW Cmdr.
Post 447.
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Bob is a retired AAL (Aid Association for Lutherans) agent, currently working on his master’s degree in Volunteering. His wife, Genie, is a retired RN, currently working on her doctor’s degree in Volunteering. They have two children, Deb in North Carolina, and Dan in New York. Bob says if you enjoy his column, let him know. If you don’t enjoy it, keep on reading, it can get worse. Words of wisdom: There is always room for God.