2024 marks 25 years of American residency and 20 years of American citizenship for me. I remain amazed at the historical experiment that the 1770s matured, culminating in 1776 with the Declaration and 1789 with the Constitution. Despite recent discontents and downright attacks on the founding values, my amazement at the backbone of the United States of America — as founded in the 18th century, defended through the victory of the Civil War, and developed all the way to the twin victories of the two World Wars — remains intact. The more I learn about it, the more I appreciate it. There is no other country in the world to have achieved the results of this historic experiment of government by the self-governed.  No doubt problems have abounded from the beginning. Yet, I am not inclined to make the common mistake of confusing the principle for the instances. There have been and there will always be instances, and grave ones, of mistakes, tragedies, injuries, and injustices. The principle is still the same: To secure the blessings of liberty for ourselves and our posterity. I did not choose the country of my birth anymore than I chose my parents, but I did choose the United States, although it was out of necessity and I did not know her greatness, until I awoke to the events of her birth and history. I remain in awe at her survival throughout the ideological changes of the last 200-300 years that have changed the face of the earth. Happy Birthday, USA, and thank you!