1 of 1

Write now Article Tools

When Franklin Delano Roosevelt became President of the US, in 1933, he was destined to be the only US President to serve more than two terms, and may hold that distinction forever. Another distinction, that he will hold forever, is my devotion to him as an inspiring, heroic, and personal mentor. FDR's fireside chats, broadcast over the radio, became, for me, one of the most touching and influential experiences in my life. I still remember shedding many tears while listening to him speak, and, at other times, feeling the courage to be able to free the world from the terror of Hitler, Tojo, and Mussolini.

I was born in 1938. In 1941, FDR spoke to the US Congress, and outlined his idea of the four freedoms, which he envisioned for the entire population of humans. Freedom of speech and expression, freedom to worship God by one's own choice, freedom from want, meaning the ability to live in good health, and, perhaps his most memorable topic, freedom from fear, meaning that the threat of war should be eliminated, or at least minimized, by reducing the numbers of weapons of war. However, during the next four years, as many as fifty million humans lost their lives, while the Axis and Allies were battling.

One of my father's brothers was killed in 1943, in an accident, while serving in the US Army in Great Britain. A novice British pilot lost control of his airplane and crashed into the barracks where my uncle and many other troops temporarily lived and slept. Another of my father's brothers was serving in the US Marines, at the place and time that the photograph was taken on Iwo Jima, which resulted in the war memorial statues of the flag raising. A third brother, a mathematical genius, flew 52 missions over Germany, as pilot, navigator, bombadier, and whatever other role was required to maintain his crew. Their were shot down by the Nazis in their final mission, and, near the end of the war, were hidden and fed by Italian rebels who were against Mussolini.

The four freedoms have probably developed very different meanings over the past 67 years. I am sure that they have different meanings for me. I have spent at least half of my life in poverty, even now, at age 69, I am virtually bankrupt. I have recently withdrawn from any welfare benefits, and have stopped my Medicare supplement payment, in order to buy food with my small Social Security check. My parents both died without overcoming the stigma of financial debts, and I am still trying to pay thousands of dollars of

• 1
• 2
• next page >>

Add your voice

Know something about Political review: Americans and the four freedoms?
We want to hear your view. Write now!