Before 9/11, patriotism had fallen out of fashion. It was blasé to act proud of America, boring to recite the Pledge of Allegiance day after day, a big turnoff to listen to some of the great patriotic songs that aroused and inspired past Americans. That changed with 9/11. It was wonderful to see "Old Glory" proudly waving everywhere, hear people sing "God Bless America", wear pins announcing the love they felt for our great country. It was moving to see everyday folks donating money, blood, time, talent, even their lives, whatever they had to give, to build back America's morale after the devastation, to help those who lost so much, to show the world that American do not crumble under stress.

Like everything in our modern world, this return to patriotism was super-sized. Everyone jumped on the band wagon and this was great. Heroes abounded. Patriotism flowed everywhere. Thank goodness, still today, much of the renewed patriotism is alive and visible.

Unfortunately, however, for many, America's renewed patriotism slowly began to strangle. It started with advertisings with patriotic overtures becoming so numerous that it became over-kill. Some celebrities, trying to build their careers by taking advantage of America's tragedy, flocked into the scene like vultures grabbing for dead meat. A number of politicians attacked their opponents so severely and praised their own love of country to the place that overt patriotism is often associated with mud-slinging politics.

Citizens soon tired of these over-done displays and vulgarities, and things have gradually returned to pre-9/11 conditions --- less obvious displays of patriotism, fewer flags flying in the wind, and more "wind" blowing our great country asunder. There are people today, who call themselves Americans, trying to prevent school children from reciting the Pledge of Allegiance. We have some complaining about the American flag being displayed in public places. Americans in certain occupations are not allowed to wear pins or emblems with patriotic messages. Courts more and more are making decisions that tear at the very core of America's values and way of life. Schools more and more are teaching such a negative view of American history that no young person in their right mind could be proud to be an American. Much of the press Americans depend on for an accurate appraisal of the news have become so biased in their reporting that it is become difficult if not impossible to tell truth from opinion.

If this very foundation on which our country is built is torn apart by such actions, our American way of life will decline, grow weaker, even disappear into the musty pages of dull history books as an example of a once great nation that believed in the dignity of the individual. America will take its place along side of the Golden Age of Greece, a mere fifty years, where citizens had say in how to run their country, and to the Roman Republic where leaders were elected. After this, the Roman Empire decayed within until it finally fell to invading Barbarians. We know of these great civilizations today only from ancient records. Do we want the same for America? Do we want to have our great nation fester and gradually die until the ideals Americans, for over 200 years, have fought and died for?

We must not allow a noisy, militant few keep the majority of citizens from singing "God Bless America" or keep us from proudly displaying Old Glory. We must continually guard against those who would weaken the ideals and values the mainstream believes in. The majority must become more vocal, more involved, more knowledgeable. America is, after all, run by majority vote, not by an aggressive handful determined to undermine what most Americans hold near and dear. We must actively show to the entire world our belief that America, even with all her faults, is the greatest civilization to ever exist. We must insist our young absorb American ethics as their own, so that they will live by them and will be able to pass them on to their own children when the time comes. Studies confirm that what someone learns in the early years is the most important factor in determining the character of that person. Fanatics have capitalized on the importance of early training by teaching hate, superiority, and violence to the young under their control. This works! It was how Hitler gained the power he did, by indoctrination of Germany's youth. The 9/11 attack on America's shores was made possible by brainwashing the men involved when they were too young to reason for themselves, molding their immature minds to think that the killing of thousands of innocents was a holy act.

Right now, the negative examples mentioned above are in the minority. They still shock us when we hear of them. But, make no mistake, these examples are growing more numerous. How long will it take to have them become so common, that our American way of life dissolves into nothing? I ask you, how long?

It is for these reasons that I feel programs such as SOARR are so very important. This is why I founded SOARR.

The United States was created on Judeo-Christian values, and religion has been a strong element of our society since then. Therefore, it is permissible to include religion as a part of SOARR grants. Please follow the guidelines set below:

1. It is kept in a general vein without naming individual sects.
2. Is taught from the viewpoint of the major religions of the world, such as Jewish, Hindu, Buddhist, Islam, Catholic, Orthodox, or Protestant.
3. Does not preach or moralize.
4. Does not advocate one religion over another.
5. Does not put down another's religious beliefs.
6. Follows the guidelines set by the United States Constitution, the laws of our country, and the rules of the school or organization sponsoring the grant.

Our country has never had a state religion where all people are forced to follow one religion, as have many countries of the past. In fact, numerous wars have been fought world-wide because of warring religions. This is why our fore fathers had the vision to write into the Bill of Rights the separation of government and religion. Rather individual religious beliefs are based on the premise of freedom for all citizens to worship what and how each chooses, i.e. "Freedom of Religion."

It is SOARR's opinion that the First Amendment to the Bill of Rights does not mean that religious prayers and ceremonies, (specifically Christian for some reason unknown to the majority of Americans) need to be banned from schools, government offices, and public places as some people today think.

Some people today feel many of America's problems stem from the teaching of diversity studies. SOARR believes there should be more teaching of the rich diverse background of American citizens, that, in fact, it is imperative that our schools should do more in this field than they do now. The problem is not the teaching about diversity, per say; it is the fact that in this teaching, usually the people in the American majority, i.e., those whose ancestors come from white, Anglo, western European stock, are often ignored, put down, or made to look like downright terrible villains. This is what is wrong.

America is a country of immigrants. Even those called "Native Americans" came here over the Bering Strait from Asia. They just came earlier, perhaps 20,000 years ago, as contrasted to those who flocked here less than five hundred years ago. America has often been compared with a "melting pot," where everyone gets boiled down to a homogenized, bland pudding. SOARR feels it is more realistic to think of America as an interesting blend of spices, where each grain keeps its own distinctive taste and color, yet all mingle to blend together to produce a concoction that is more than just interesting --- it is an exciting, varied mixture, making America unique among nations. The German Wieners (hot dogs) French Fries, Mexican Tacos, Chinese Chow Mien, Italian Pasta, Irish Stew, and Native American Corn on the Cob have all become as "American as Apple Pie." Every group of people who have come to America's shores, who have struggled to make it in a new land far from home, friends, and family, who have strived for the American dream of freedom, dignity, and a good life --- all have added their distinctive bit to American culture and life. This includes those of western European origin. SOARR believes that we must recognize even more the contributions each group has given to make America the great country she has become. We must appreciate the special gifts from all diverse peoples that have enriched our American way of life in so many ways.

There is another reason why more diversity needs to be taught in modern America. As the world develops more and more of a global economy, it is imperative to know and understand the values and traditions of other peoples with which we trade. It is no longer possible to be isolated from world events. America is not only an integral part of the world scene, but actually the major leader in international affairs. We must prepare America's youth to function in the world of tomorrow.

SOARR feels it is wonderful to be proud of each of our own historical heritage, to celebrate the accomplishments of our people, to rejoice at those individuals of our ethnic background who have succeeded. However, first and foremost, no matter one's ancestry, we must all stand together as proud Americans. And it is in this unity that we find America's greatest strength. "From many --- one!"