HOW I SPENT MY SUMMER VACATION

As I recall, this was a popular assignment when we were in school. The teacher would say at the beginning of the school year, "Class, how did you spend your summer vacation?" We were supposed to write an essay or tell about our experiences. Well, here is my effort, though I have been out of school for a few years. I recently returned from a two week journey. My cousin was to be married on July 5th in Boston, Massachusetts. I figured if I was going to go to Boston anyway, why not drive and spend some time in the Northeast.

My trip began with a drive to New York City. I toured Manhattan, and visited Ellis Island and the Statue of Liberty. It stuck me almost immediately how many people had seen this wonderful statue and begun their lives in America by passing through Ellis Island. As the 4th of July was rapidly approaching, I felt somehow patriotic. Many of us have ancestors who passed right through the buildings I was touring.

On to Boston, the birthplace of our country. I visited the historic areas where the stage was set for the formation of the United States. I saw the Old North Church, where the lanterns were hung which started Paul Revere on his ride. I also drove past the spot where the Boston Tea Party occurred. Everywhere in Boston I could feel the beginnings of freedom. I had not taken much time in my life to examine the sacrifices made by those in Boston in those early days of America, or by those immigrants passing through Ellis Island. So many persons gave so much for the United States of America to be here today.

One fundamental belief in the revolutionary times and for the immigrants coming through Ellis Island was religious freedom. To freely practice our religious beliefs is something I believe we often take for granted. We don't look around the world very often, or even into our own history to see how precious a gift we have in religious freedom. This gift is exhibited by the many churches in our area and the many writers of this column, whose thoughts are found here each week. I know that the 4th of July has come and gone, but let us take a few moments to give thanks for the freedoms we have, and for those persons who made it possible for us to have them.

So, that is how I spent my summer vacation. I visited many other places on the way back to Missouri, but Ellis Island and Boston left deep impressions on me. Our country has a rich history, one which we would do well to reexamine regularly. Allow me to close with these words, as a prayer for all of us, God bless America.