Photo by Jal Schrof at PBase.com
It was a Fourth of July celebration I will never forget.
I was honored to be invited to a friend’s naturalization ceremony. He came to the US as an adult to live the American dream. I witnessed the long hours he invested learning what he needed to know to become an engaged American citizen.
On a warm July Fourth, I joined thousands of people who cheered as their loved ones and friends said the Pledge of Allegiance as US citizens for the first time.
Gary Locke congratulated the new Americans and told his story. A hundred years earlier, his grandfather left China on a steamboat to work as a houseboy for an American family in Washington State. His grandfather washed dishes, gardened and swept floors in exchange for English lessons.
And a hundred years later, this man’s grandson was sworn in as the Governor of the State of Washington. Governor Locke’s then home–the Governor’s mansion– is one mile from the house where his grandfather worked. He noted that it took his family one hundred years to travel one hundred yards.
That July 4th I celebrated the American Dream. I understood viscerally that we are blessed to live in this land of opportunity.
Governor Locke went on to become the United States Secretary of Commerce to China, sworn in by President Obama.
Let’s celebrate the American Dream this Fourth of July! Think about attending a naturalization ceremony as part of your celebration. You’ll see the American Dream is alive and well.
© 2015. Vicki Rackner MD is an author, speaker and consultant who offers a bridge between the world of medicine and the world of business. She helps businesses acquire physician clients, and she helps physicians run more successful practices. Contact her at (425) 451-3777.
I was honored to be invited to a friend’s naturalization ceremony. He came to the US as an adult to live the American dream. I witnessed the long hours he invested learning what he needed to know to become an engaged American citizen.
On a warm July Fourth, I joined thousands of people who cheered as their loved ones and friends said the Pledge of Allegiance as US citizens for the first time.
Gary Locke congratulated the new Americans and told his story. A hundred years earlier, his grandfather left China on a steamboat to work as a houseboy for an American family in Washington State. His grandfather washed dishes, gardened and swept floors in exchange for English lessons.
And a hundred years later, this man’s grandson was sworn in as the Governor of the State of Washington. Governor Locke’s then home–the Governor’s mansion– is one mile from the house where his grandfather worked. He noted that it took his family one hundred years to travel one hundred yards.
That July 4th I celebrated the American Dream. I understood viscerally that we are blessed to live in this land of opportunity.
Governor Locke went on to become the United States Secretary of Commerce to China, sworn in by President Obama.
Let’s celebrate the American Dream this Fourth of July! Think about attending a naturalization ceremony as part of your celebration. You’ll see the American Dream is alive and well.
© 2015. Vicki Rackner MD is an author, speaker and consultant who offers a bridge between the world of medicine and the world of business. She helps businesses acquire physician clients, and she helps physicians run more successful practices. Contact her at (425) 451-3777.