3 touching patriotic taxi stories in 1 week

By Jason Williams, 
Oregon 250.com, celebrating America’s 250th
Founder of Taxpayers Association Oregon

As I traveled outside my beloved Oregon to Nevada for a conference, I was able to experience a lot of patriotism in just a few days — and much of it came from taxi drivers.

• I asked one cab driver about his flag (photo left), and he shared that after the terrorist attack on America 9/11, he vowed to put up a flag on his cab every day. He has done so over those past 24 years. He began quoting what President George Bush said as he stood upon the World Trade Center ruins. He felt this flag is his way to remember how important our freedoms and our country are.

• The next day, a second cab driver (photo right) had both an American flag and a big cross hanging on his rear view mirror. The cross had the African tri-colors as its design. He said the cross is to honor his God, and the flag is to honor his country. He said America helped provide him a better life, and he will never forget it.

• Another cab I took happened just after a fireworks celebration of America’s 250th that was going on every Saturday. While talking about America’s 250th, she volunteered that she was from Ethiopia and that she greatly loves this country. She said there have been too many wars in Somalia, and continued by saying there are too many wars in Africa. She added that the United States is like a giant parent who comes in and stops other nations from fighting. She said America has kept the peace around the world. Although there are great debates and differences about America’s military role in thee world, this ordinary lady’s unfiltered words were one of gratefulness to America. I will take that and share it.