Basic to the American dream is the search for freedom. In the 17th century, Europeans facing persecution for their beliefs fled to America. Since World War II, millions of people have come to the shores of this country. Wars, persecutions, economic distress and political unrest have driven them from their homes to seek a better life. Recent statistics show that there are more than 43.7 million immigrants residing in the United States. They make up 13.5 percent of the total population.

At every military funeral in the United States, the U.S. government dispatches a bugler. As the mourners hush into silence, he solemnly lifts his bugle and sounds Taps. This well-known, 24-note bugle call is actually a revision of a French bugle signal telling soldiers to stop their evening drinking and return to their barracks. Today, it is sounded at dusk at our military posts. The bugle’s plaintive voice announces lights out at the end of the day. How appropriate, therefore, that it is now used at funerals when the light of this life is extinguished by the darkness of death.

Since 2010, world leaders, movie stars, CEOs, artists, and political activists have been meeting annually in New York for the Women in the World Summit. This gathering has become one of America’s most famous forums to foster women’s rights. In 2015, on the eve of launching her presidential campaign, Hillary Clinton gave the keynote address. Her remarks sparked an immediate firestorm of comments and controversy over the endangered right of religious freedom.

The town of Sulmona, Italy has a very unique tradition celebrated on Easter Sunday. It is a dramatic and joy-filled procession celebrating the Resurrection of Jesus. It is called La Madonna Che Scappa (The Madonna who runs). A procession of men bears the statues of the apostles Peter and John. They bring them to Mary. Peter first announces to Mary the good news of the Resurrection. But, she does not believe him. After all, he was known to have lied about even knowing Jesus. John, the Beloved Disciple, who saw the empty tomb and the burial linens neatly folded and immediately believed, then gives the same good news to Mary and she believes.

In 2013, Hallmark sparked a controversy by changing a single word in a Christmas song. Ever since 1877, the traditional English lyrics of Deck the Halls, originally written by the Scottish musician Thomas Oliphant, included the words “Don we now our gay apparel.” Many within the LGBT community protested Hallmark’s new version, “Don we now our fun apparel.” Obviously, Hallmark had taken note that the word “gay” that at one time meant festive, joyful, or colorful had now taken on a different meaning. It had become the preferred designation of those who adopt a certain lifestyle.