I am not a Virginian, but an American.
—Patrick Henry, 1774

Tina Valentino is the Editor/Publisher

History repeated? I am in awe of the Founding Fathers and a huge Benjamin Franklin fan. In fact, while answering security questions online, I have often picked Ben Franklin as the one person from history I would like to meet. And I don’t remember reading any book faster than the 589 pages of Walter Isaacson’s Benjamin Franklin: An American Life. Then again, I feel the same way about John Adams (we were born on the same day) and Thomas Jefferson (did you know that Adams and Jefferson both died on July 4th?). When I think of them, I think the oil painting of the Second Continental Congress voting on the Declaration of Independence is worth staring at—even if only online or in a book. The collective loyalty, altruism, courage, selflessness, and stunning  intell ect in that one room unequivocally represents a chapter of history that will never repeat itself. You can’t make me believe that there will ever again be such noble sacrifice for the common good and singularly spectacular individuals like George Washington and Paul Revere.

As I write this, just days before Memorial Day, a few weeks before Flag Day and 4th of July and only hours before my cousin Joe Montino, travels with fellow World War II veterans via Honor Flight Chicago to Washington, D.C., it becomes increasingly clear to me that our true colors are no longer as red, white and blue as they once were. A glimpse at any news channel or newspaper readily proves it. From that inimitable 1776 “think tank” of men and the patriots who secured our independence with their lives, including our troops in Iran and Afghanistan, compared to today’s despicable cesspool of sissified, self-aggrandizing leaders and citizenry, oh, I am quite sure that history won’t be repeating itself anytime soon. We are fast becoming the Land of the Freeloader and Home of those who lie about their military service.

Any flag flies above the American flag these days; flags on flagpoles are tattered and torn everywhere I drive; and Press #1 for English because everyone has a voice, including known criminals and those who obliterated law-abiding Americans through terrorism. Poppy Day is a thing of the past; Memorial Day and 9-11 are barely a moment of silence; Veterans Day is a few old men joined by the friends and family of current soldiers; I know because I’ve covered these dwindling events in many suburbs. World War II veterans never got a parade. Vietnam vets got harassed. Yet American Idols and Little Leagues get parades. Or this overwhelming pride for the countries our ancestors ran from and rallies against immigration reform draw bus loads. Unbelievable to me.

Have traditions and laws—and people—been indifferently forgotten, like high school Algebra and the exact words to the national anthem? Jog your memory: volunteer or make donations to Hines V.A. Hospital, just minutes away; or pack up the kids and drive out to Midway Airport and give Honor Flight’s local vets the homecoming they never received (www.honorflightchicago.org). While you’re there, take a good look at their faces—because that’s what freedom looks like.