Thanks for that description of your experience and the process you went through to become an American.
My mother’s mother was a 1st generation American from the Slovak area. Her parents had come over to central Texas in the 1880s. Her husband, my grandfather, came to the United States from Austria in the late 1910s. He to came to Texas and met my grandmother.
He then went back to Europe during World War I and fought the Germans.
His only son, my Uncle Albert, fought Germany again in World War II, and was killed over Germany ion 1944 in a B-17.
The process to become an American citizen has been arduous for a reason. As Teddy Roosevelt said,
“We should insist that the immigrant who comes here does so in good faith and becomes a an American and assimilates himself to us. He shall be treated on an exact equality with every one else.
“But this is predicated upon the man’s becoming in very fact an American and nothing but an American. If he tries to keep segregated with men of his own origin and separated from the rest of America, then he isn’t doing his part as an American.
“There can be no divided allegiance here.
“We have room for but one language here, and that is the English language, for we intend to see that the crucible turns our people out as Americans, of American nationality, and not as dwellers in a polyglot boarding-house; and we have room for but one soul loyalty, and that is loyalty to the American people.”
Great words from a great President.
Also, Idaho (and most of the intermountain west) maintains to this day the American ideal in the rural country and in the towns and cities.
People need not look for a small, isolated place to “bug out,” to. Idaho is such a place, as is Wyoming, Montana, western Colorado, Utah, northern Arizona, northern Nevada, and eastern Washington and Oregon.
Eastern Idaho around Idaho Falls is beautiful, higher in elevation, cooler summers and much colder winters. Western Idaho around Boise has more people (but still nothing compared to most urban areas), is wide open, warmer summers, and cold winters (but not as cold as eastern Idaho). Both have beautiful scenery. Either would be a wonderful place.
God bless you, and keep you and yours. Glad to have you with us as an American who understands the value of this land’s blessings, its liberty,. and its constitutional republic...and the culture and faith it has been founded and built upon.
Thanks for the ping.
“People need not look for a small, isolated place to “bug out,” to. Idaho is such a place, as is Wyoming, Montana, western Colorado, Utah, northern Arizona, northern Nevada, and eastern Washington and Oregon.”
Some of us would include western SD which just happens to border WY and MT. We would do so because we are a haven for political social and fiscal conservatives dedicated to preserving life liberty and the pursuit of happiness.
Our entire US delegation of two Senators and one Representative is now Republican, as is the State Legislature and the Governor.
Well said, Jeff.
Thanks for sharing the interesting story of your grandparents and uncle.
Theodore Roosevelt was right on the mark about immigration. In my opinion letting some enclaves or some type of Balkanization within a country to flourish it will result in ethnic or racial friction, or worst in a war. And, that will be the end of that country. Conforming to the American way of life (assimilation requires time) and English only official language usage should be clearly expected from every immigrant. This doesn’t jeopardize their cultural, ethnic, or language background. All they have to understand that they started a new life in a new and different country, and the best for their future is to integrate.
It is very tempting to take in consideration small towns in the states you mentioned, but as we are getting older we like to know that there are some clinics and hospitals close by, just for emergencies.
When we visited Idaho Falls we could not resist driving and seeing again the Grand Tetons and Jackson Hole. Yep, there are beautiful scenery, beautiful mountains, and nice small towns with friendly people.
Thanks again for the Idaho and in general the “bug out” related info.
God bless you, and stay warm!