It’s another New Year and we celebrate those people and events that will be memorable. Of course, the list is wide and variable. President Jimmy Carter’s 100th year on this earth, giving us Camp David Peace Accords, creation of FEMA, departments of Energy and Education, all to help raise up hope for all humanity, well that’s hard to beat. Too many others from music, sports, film, and sciences to name here.

I’d like to talk about just one individual who, in light of all the disparities in our country now, truly represents the epitome of citizen: Chris Kyle, U.S. Navy Seal and American sniper during the Iraq War. Aside from the themes of duty, sacrifice, and the toll of war on the human psyche, Kyle endured all those and then helped his fellow soldiers with the trauma of post-traumatic stress disorder.

At the end of this first quarter of the 21st century, many still have not learned the full impact of what war means to citizens of America. I’m talking about those who play-act as patriots, and those who are buffered from and shirk the responsibilities of “citizen” once they accumulate wealth from the work and spending patterns of the majority of Americans.

The Constitution begins with the phrase, “We the People.” An oath taken by politicians at all levels to do their duty to “preserve, protect, and defend the Constitution of the United States” of America. Even our community elected officials take a similar oath!

Being a citizen is more than paying your taxes, maintaining civility and respect towards all, it is a commitment to the whole of America — and dare I say the world? As the Golden Rule professes, “do unto others, as you would have them do unto you.”

Seems so simple, right?

MARGARET KUTZERA,

Harrisville