Column 3

The Good Times and the Bad


Economically does our country’s future look pretty? Well, it depends on who you ask and what channel you are watching the news on. For many people, these tough economic times and government decisions being made have affected their lives before. But it’s always good to reflect on the times when it was going better for them, and even how their better days molded them into the person they are and we are today.

Here in the United States, our population is made up of many different families who have come from other places to make a better life for themselves and their loved ones. After speaking with my grandparents about their knowledge of our family history, I learned that in life you need to take every opportunity given to you. Sometimes the questionable ones turn out for the better in life also.

To get a little background and to see how people came to America that affected people in my family, I asked my grandpa, Bob, where his grandparents came from and he said that they had come from Germany. It was in the late 1800’s when they came across seas looking for better opportunities in life and better ways to support their family. Once they arrived in America they looked westward seeking a homestead to start farming and raising crops.

They settled in Nebraska in an area known today as Primrose, Nebraska. There they found land and people that grandpa said they really enjoyed. After my grandpa was born his family lived on the same farm and worked just as grandpa’s dad did as a kid.

My grandpa was in the United States Army. He en-listed into the Army right after high school graduation and was then shipped to be based in Germany. This was around 1955-1960. My Grandmother’s grandparents also were from Germany. Grandma didn’t know the exact reason they came to America but she said they were seeking work and freedom. She didn’t know the exact years either but it was probably around the early 1900’s. They also farmed and were located around the same area as Primrose, NE.

Immigration has had a huge impact on our society. Even though all of the major immigration happened in the mid 1800’s to early 1900’s its still affected us today. Its formed our working world into hard laborers and traditional workers. The opportunities were given to these people to make a new life for themselves by coming across seas, not knowing what would happen to them. But by being brave and courageous they formed successful families and businesses. Escaping religious, racial, and political persecution, or seeking relief from a lack of economic opportunity But some of the reasons they left those places was not just for new opportunity, but for safety. Diseases and illnesses that were striking throughout Europe was another reason to flee those countries.


If it wasn’t for these hard working people, what would our world be like today if they didn’t show their children the way to make a living? Our world today is the way it is because of the immigrants that took a chance to be successful and that followed through with their dreams of making something out of an opportunity of a lifetime.

In these times we are facing we must reflect on our roots. Staying strong and getting rid of our weaknesses can help us through these times just as our ancestors made it through. Our appreciation of being strong hard workers should go to them, for we have them to thank for showing us the way of making it through a tough economy.