While enjoying the Super Bowl Commercials last night, I was brought to silence as I watched Clint Eastwood’s ad about the resolve of the American spirit. During this ad, he spoke of the times we have been through as a country. We survived a vicious attack on our county, foreign wars, political division and a severe economic lose. Our personal wealth has deteriorated. Our moral compass seems to be lost along the way as well. Our sons and daughters have fought overseas, and many have not made it home. Workers are without jobs and many more are struggling to put food on the table. But we will prevail.
Mr. Eastwood put it very eloquently that, “It's Halftime, America.”
We find ourselves down, on the ropes wondering if we will survive the year. We have been divided with ridiculous political rhetoric. Our leaders have become corrupt and placed doubt on the entire political system. But we will prevail.
Mr. Eastwood goes on to say ,“We find a way through tough times and if we can’t find a way then we’ll make one.”
Our country was torn in half by the Civil War, but we prevailed. We fought against tyranny in two world wars, and we prevailed. Depressions, the dust bowl, pandemics all have assaulted our country…but we prevailed. Now we face perhaps one of the greatest threats the United States has ever faced. We have lost our identity. But we will prevail.
We are not Democrats, Republicans, black, white , Christian or Muslims. We are Americans. We are free. With that hope, we will journey through the valley of the shadow of death, doubt and despair and walk out the other side stronger, more compassionate about fellow Americans and thankful for the opportunity we have been given.
Dylan Thomas wrote in the final line of a very famous poem, “ Do not go gentle into that good night. Rage, rage against the dying of the light.”
Our light is still burning, our flag is still there. I believe in America. We will prevail.
Mike McElrath