Happy Birthday, America!
A celebration of the diversity that makes up the unique American experience
United States of America Embassy in Tirana celebrated the 240th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence with a program titled The American Mosaic. The program started with the presentation of the colors and the performing of the national anthems of the United States and Albania by the Tirana University of Arts Women’s Choir under the direction of Zana Turku. The guests had the opportunity to sample and vote on dishes that reflected the close ties between the U.S. and Albania — prepared by three Albanian celebrity chefs. American TV Stars, Pelican 212, performed a medley of varied American music.
Get into the party! Watch Top Channel’s exclusive story on the July 4th reception.
During the July 4th reception, three of our American staff members — Ambassador Donald Lu, Administrative Officer Jay Thompson, and Anti-Corruption Advisor Gjon Juncaj shared their reflections as proud Americans from diverse backgrounds. Watch and read their stories.
by Gjon Juncaj
Today we celebrate the independence of a great country. How do we measure the greatness of a country? My Albanian father and mother would tell you that in a great country, with hard work and sacrifice an Albanian immigrant mechanic and his wife, a house cleaner, can raise and educate four children. In a great country they can also raise those children with traditional Albanian values: “Buk e krype, e zemer te bardh.”
In a great country they can celebrate not only the significance of the 4th of July but also the 28th of November. They would tell you that in a great country the son of immigrant parents can become a prosecutor, a prosecutor who will appear before honorable courts and proudly state, “My name is Gjon Juncaj. I represent the people of the United States of America.” In a great country, that child can also have the opportunity to serve the United States of America in the ethnic homeland of his parents. They would also tell you that because of that great country, their Albanian-American son stands before you today as an example of the fulfillment of a promise made in the year 1776 — the promise of “life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.”
The heroes of independence are not honored by momentary fireworks that light up the sky. As a proud American, I can tell you that the heroes of independence are honored when their promises of opportunity and fairness for every citizen, are kept into the future.
by Jay Thompson
My great, great, great grandmother, Elizabeth Ann Buckholtz, was born in the Sovereign Lands of the Choctaw Nation (present day Mississippi). In 1830 she, her parents, and many other relatives and friends were forced to emigrate on foot from Mississippi to present day Oklahoma. This forced migration is known as the “Trail of Tears” and thousands of Native Americans lost their lives during this march.
My family’s story includes these individuals who trace their origins to a time before European colonization, as well as a first generation immigrant from Germany that I personally remember.
American’s are known for their fierce independence. As I have gotten to know more about other cultures during my State Department career, I have realized that some of this independence comes from the unique relationship that many of us have with the history that is part of all of our immigration stories.
As we celebrate the birth of the United States, I think both of my native ancestors, who lived on the American continent long before the United States declared independence and my immigrant relatives, who came to the United States seeking a new life. Whether they were born German, or Choctaw, both sides of my family built new lives in the United States and within a generation of sometimes tragic historical events. All of them were proud Americans.
by Donald Lu
Some of you know that I lost my father this year. He was not born an American. He chose to be an American to build a better life for his family.
My father grew up in a poor family in Shanghai, China. During World War II and the Japanese occupation, he traveled 1,000 miles by foot and by road with his 10 year-old sister to find their father because their mother did not have enough money to feed them.
In 1960, he set out on a 28-day rough ship voyage across the Pacific Ocean to the United States.
He had with him $2,000 with him to study at Oklahoma State University. Instead of using his money to buy sensible things like food, clothes and books, he used most of it to buy a used BMW. He was studying engineering by day and worked as a bartender at night.
When his money ran out, he went to Los Angeles where he found a job with an engineering company. His company eventually sponsored him to get a green card. He saved enough money to bring his brothers, sister, and mother to the United States.
My father had a long career as an engineer, eventually working to build a nuclear power plant, high-tech military laboratories, and even a rollercoaster ride at Disneyland. He was never a wealthy man, but he provided opportunities for his children that he never had. He lived a life of adventure and always was proud to be an American.
