I was born eight months before the 1929 stock market crash that issued in the Great Depression. I grew up during what turned out to be a time of national bonding, a sense of togetherness, cemented, in an odd sort of way, by the democratic ideals undergirding this nation, as written in the steel-mesh bonds of our Declaration of Independence and U.S Constitution with its evolving amendments.

Created equal informs us all that we will emerge from whatever period of difficulty we enter into, be it war, disease, economic, or otherwise, knowing that we are united, that we each have a voice.

I stood tall at parades as the flag drew by; I read the biographies of our founders, couldn't have been more proud that they were willing to try a new design of government, a new way of a people living together based on the truths of the Enlightenment; served four years in the Air force during the Korean Conflict; raised a family of five wonderful adults, then retired with few concerns buzzing around my head.

Until now. An authoritarian President, Donald Trump has forced upon me the realization just how tenuous our democracy might be. A single man in the most powerful office on earth, has, in two years, cast doubt to all the world, what we stand for, who our friends are, our enemies; able to take advantage of and further the divide that has plagued our citizenry since 2010.

Lauds dictators, ridicules our oldest friends, and causes Mick to ask if we are not afraid, that we remind him of 1930s Germany. I've asked that of myself, made the same observation.

Pray that the recent election bodes well, that hackers will be turned back next presidential election, that there remains that revolutionary grit that gave us birth, to steel us with the tenacity to survive.

And still bring tears to my eyes when the flag that signifies it all strides by come Fourth of July, especially that one dated 2021.