Dear Editor:
As our nation approaches its 250th Birthday, I’m thinking back fondly about the Bicentennial in 1976. That year, we were listening to music on AM radios, our televisions had only a few stations and you had to turn the knob by hand to change a channel on the black and white screen.
Fire hydrants across the city were painted red, white and blue. Despite hard times economically, there was an excitement and unity that flowed across the nation that year. The National Geographic magazine that July had a proud American eagle on the cover, and we collected the coveted bicentennial quarter and rare half dollar. The fireworks were incredible across the city.
Thinking about this year and how far we’ve advanced into the age of quantum computers, social media, smart phones and artificial intelligence, I’m amazed at how fast society has changed, but remain optimistic when I think about those shared values that endure. Hearing the crowds at the World Cup singing John Denver’s Country Roads in unison, young kids talking about the Fourth of July, the incredible excitement over the NY Knicks winning the Championship, fireworks on Rockaway Beach, or seeing YouTube videos with World Cup tourists amazed at our nation’s beauty, cities and traditions; it all melds into a familiar and comforting feeling of pride for our country, and a hope for its continued growth and prosperity.
Happy Birthday America!
Harold Paez
