As a member of the National Society, Daughters of the American Revolution, my ancestor patriots fought for independence from England, 1775-1783. They sought their independent freedom from a forbearing mother country, England.

They did not seek overtaken land as additional territory. We were the colonies, under England's rule, but composed of English, Germans, Dutch and French.

In World War II, my husband fought the enemies, Nazi Germany and Japan, who were seeking to take over our country as well as France, Belgium, Austria and Poland. We were defending our homeland. Remember Pearl Harbor! They nearly succeeded. We won!

We fought two other wars, Korea and Vietnam. We were trying to defend them against their enemies. We were in Desert Storm to defend Kuwait from being taken over by Iraq. Our military go everywhere to defend the depressed.

Today, we are protecting our homeland against a new enemy, the Muslim terrorists. We are basically a Christian country, as were our founding fathers, but we are now composed of Hebrews, Buddhists, Muslims and many other religions.

We have been attacked, at home and in other countries where we are present.

We are at war today to protect our homeland and to free other countries from the tyrannical persecution of their people.

We will succeed, thanks to the devotion and tenacity of our troops who are willing to give their lives and sacrifice as our ancestors did before us.

We are seeking to give freedom and democracy to those countries who have been persecuted by cruel dictatorship.

Let us be proud as Americans who can achieve by protecting ourselves and obliterating the persecution of the people of countries who are not as fortunate as we.

Bev Shebs

Pinehurst