I am not American, but I've been living in USA for the past three years. I came for my Masters Degree and I was lucky enough to find a job after graduation. I am from Spain, and before you jump on me, no, I do not agree with the behaviour of my government. You dont fold in front of terrorism. We had not done that in 45 years of conflict with the Basque separatist group ETA and we should not do it now.
There is something I love about your country, and it is the pride you have on your nation, your flag, your constitution and your institutions. The fact that whenever your flag unfolds and your national anthem begins everyone stands to attention and sings it. The fact that you are proud of been American and proud of being proud of it!
I was watching Reagans Funeral on TV with and a foreign friend of mine, (yes, he was French, but that is another story) came in and caught me chocking. He ask me why was I chocking and I told him that there were three reasons. The first was that I admired what Ronald Reagan did and I was sad for his death and for the suffering on his family. The second reason was the pride shown by the whole nation on the ceremony. The third reason was much close to my heart and more difficult to explain simply.
I see the flags, I see people singing the national anthem, the uniforms and the pride of the nation, and I fill ashamed. Ashamed because I can not do the same in my own nation, ashamed that I can not show my pride on my own nation, and I can tell you that writing this there are tears in my eyes. If I were back in Spain and I where to put a national flag, proud of the red and yellow and the eagle and the crown on my front porch, I will be automatically branded as a Nazi supporter. If I where to say that I am proud of the history of my nation, I will be accused of being a colonialist and accused of the bloodshed of the natives in the colonies. If I where to sing the Spanish national anthem, I could not, because an surprisingly as It might seem, our anthem has no lyrics. Yup, we can not sing our prise for our nation. We in Spain can only hum our anthem. I am really ashamed of that. The history is simple but incredible for a modern European nation. the Spanish anthem was composed on late nineteenth century, and yes, it had lyrics, it was named El Himno de Riego, Riego been the President during the Second Republic. Lets move to 1936, and Francisco Franco begins the Spanish Civil War and wins with the support of Nazist Germany and Fascist Italy. Naturally, the lyrics of the national anthem were changed into a praise of Franco. ¨Fast forward to the death of Franco and the new democracy in 1975. Members of all political parties got together to draft a new Constitution. The talks stalled on the national anthem, and the right wing parties threatened to leave the procedures if francos lyrics where changed or the Himno de Riego approved. Final results, no lyrics.
Sorry for the rumblings, and thanks to America and to you all for all what you have done for the nations of the world. You have saved our skin two or three times even if we like it or not.
Best wishes and happy birthday,
Teo
