After arriving in Edinburgh on Friday, to begin my masters degree, I decided Saturday would be a perfect day to wonder around the city with friends and begin orienting myself to my new temporary home. As my two friends and I wondered around Edinburgh, we decided to go into Jenners, a historic department store, which is home to some of the most beautiful façade work in the city. We walked around the various departments and finally came through the delicatessen and distillery section. As I said hello to an old man in a suit and tie, he said to me, "You don't sound like you're from around here." He then asked me where I was from. I respond, "The states." He then grabbed my hand and said, "Thank you, I am proud to see an American." The gentleman explained that last year he and his wife had travelled to Hawaii to see the memorial for the USS Arizona, a ship his brother had been working on as a civilian worker when the Japanese bombed it. The old gentleman said his brother's name was listed on the memorial as having been killed during the surprise attack.
The gentleman then told me how during World War II, it was Americans that saved his life and he would never forget the kindness and generosity they showed him. He then said to the clerk, "Give this boy a bottle of real Scottish Whiskey, as I want to show this lad the same kindness his fellow countrymen gave me." With that he said, "Welcome to Scotland, lad." As he stepped away he said with a passionate voice, "Keep fighting for freedom!" As he disappeared around the corner, he said, someday I would see Scotland become free and independent as America.
I have to admit, I was very surprised and all of a sudden really proud to be born in such a great country that is known for kindness. It is up to my generation to show the same generosity and respect that the Greatest Generation showed to the world. I was speechless for several minutes, thinking about the generosity and then realized to this silver haired gentleman I represented the United States of America.
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