As reported by 1010 WINS, New York has the biggest July 4th fireworks show in the country, but it is at the bottom of patriotic U.S. states. The Empire State ranked 50 in WalletHub’s list of most patriotic states. This list showed New York with the lowestnumber of military enlistees, veterans, election voters and those volunteering.
As a lifelong New Yorker, I find this most troubling and sad. I myself served in the U.S. Navy during the Vietnam era, I am Grand Knight of St. Anastasia Knights of Columbus in Douglaston and am a member of the American Legion Post #103 in Douglaston. I am also a member of the Queens Village Republican Club. I am still working for my company at Northeast Plumbing for 41 years at age 72. Therefore I don’t understand why more people are not trying to give back all America has given us and that includes our freedom.
Now on my block in Bellerose my American Flag is the only one flying here on the 4th of July. Today I was ushering at Our Lady of the Snows in Floral Park and handing out church bulletins and a woman came up to me and said she like my patriotic tie of red, white and blue. She told me she left a communist country 30 years ago where there was no personal freedom and came to America. She said many Americans don’t understand how good they have it. I thank her for her patriotic sentiments.
So, to my fellow New Yorkers be more patriotic and get involved and make America a better place for all those in need of compassion. May God Bless America!
Frederick R. Bedell Jr.
Bellerose
