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California, 2014
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CONTENTS
1.
2.
3.
4.
Who is Uncle Sam?
Welcome to America
Uncle Sam’s Citizenship
Hat wonders
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1. Who is Uncle Sam?
'Uncle Sam' symbolizes America: The
picture of this old man with gray hair, and
his tall hat full of stars made of American
flag, is recognized in America and not only,
as a myth and authoritarian spirit invisibly
present among Americans.
'Uncle Sam' unites Americans in spirit,
but authoritarian pointing with his finger.
So, emerged this short story that ‘Uncle
Sam’ pointing with his finger.
Author
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2. Welcome to America
Several hours flying above the clouds
and cold glued to the window watching
fascinated, in silence, the unique view
difficult to express in words: Floating
somewhere between infinite outer space and
a reality of an ocean of snow, with all sorts
of strange shapes moving.
I used to always see the sky clouds over
my head but it's something else to look at
clouds from the top, when hanged
somewhere in a corner of outer space. I
think though man of the future will have to
get used increasingly in this situation.
During future interplanetary journey
that will take perhaps tens or even hundreds
of years, man is born traveler, will live and
die in the void of outer space.
Probably his birthday chip will write
that he was born on the ship Beta with
coordinates x, y, away somewhere near the
constellation Andromeda galaxy and that is
or was the earthly citizenship.
Thoughts, curiosity and a splendid view
now keeps me awake even after almost
fourteen hour flight still feel a bit tired. On
the seat next to me, overcome by fatigue,
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with head resting on my shoulder, breathing
easy, my wife was sleeping peacefully:
When the speakers announce that we
are approaching the airport in San Francisco
and we were invited to put our seatbelts, my
heart began to beat faster.
Soon, the plane Boeing 747 was began
to descend beneath the thick clouds,
revealing the brown earth and dried as late
autumn of California: San Francisco is now
clearly seen as the edge of the blue
immensity of the Pacific Ocean, like a world
that begins or ends here.
The plane landed safely and for the
professionalism shown by, the captain was
cheered loudly by all passengers. A few
minutes later we headed eagerly to the check
point, taking our passports hand tightly with
immigrant visa get so hard and after many
years of waiting.
Walking for the first time on the ground
of this country I was excited: I wanted much
to get here but life and events have given me
this opportunity quite late.
We were fingerprinted and checked by
a young lady officer, who shook hands with
us and smile telling us:
“Welcome to America”.
“Thank you,” I said excited.
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When we got up baggage, we headed
toward the exit. There was a large group of
people waiting for us: Were of course
relatives and friends of passengers who have
just landed.
I stopped and watched the group:
Among others, huge, taller than everyone,
smiling and looking at us, beckoning us to
come close was Uncle Sam. I knew that he
will meet us there, but now I was really
impressed:
Tall, well made, of all ages long gone,
with his long white hair flowing curls under
his tall blue hat, full of white stars, Uncle
Sam proud of him smiling, imposing and
feared: When I approached, he looked up at
me and then shook my hand and smiled his
baritone voice thundered:
“Welcome to America, John.”
Beside him, a woman about the same
age shredded but still beautiful, smiling to us
presenting simple:
“Sally.”
“Nice meeting you,” I replied trying to
hide my excitement.
Uncle Sam noticed my awkwardness
and putting heavy hand on my shoulder and
encouraged me, saying: “Be cool John; I
know you're very talented: In this country
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you’ll have all the necessary conditions to
develop your creative and ability: We need
people like you. Welcome, I wish you luck.”
“Thanks for the encouragement, Uncle
Sam; I'll do what I can to get used to: I
wanted very much to be here with you, but I
know it will not be easy; we must start all
over again. For you, it was simple; you
belong to this nation and been its first
citizen, right?” I said more relaxed now.
“No John; I am not a citizen,” He said.
“With God's help, we created this free
nation. All US Presidents were my students
and some of them were excellent students,”
he said, looking in my eyes: “People from
all over the world come here to find me and
wanting to know me as you did. They may
need our citizenship, but me? What I could
use me a Certificate of Citizenship? If need
be, maybe someday I'll ask for one: Times
have changed, but I am still the same youngold ages man,” Uncle Sam told me, making
my eye accomplice: “Take care, and stay
connected; Okay John?” He concluded.
“Okay Uncle Sam,” I assured him, and
then we all hugged.
Uncle Sam and Sally slowly returned to
their world and smiling quietly as they come
making us happy, with victory sign.
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Alone, in a world with laws, rules and
new habits, I had to grab me seriously cool:
I had a lot to do and need to do quickly and
well. We settled into a modest apartment
and I found a job, then I used my full
creative capacity at the work places.
People, appreciated my talent and
character to realize practically all technical
ideas crossed my mind, but at the same time,
the years were passed to.
Although, we had grandchildren and
other relatives in the home country, we have
not seen them for many years; we stayed
here in contact with Uncle Sam and sent him
congratulatory messages on Thanksgiving
Day, every year.
He always responds to my messages
encouraging me: “I'm proud of you John.
Sure, there are many bad and envious men
around you; ignore them. Continue on your
way; God bless you,” He concluded.
Uncle Sam’s messages always gave me
more power and strengthened my
confidence: We were waiting next
Thanksgiving Day celebration and his new
message always with proud and hope.
As I did every year on Thanksgiving
Day, last year, I sent Uncle Sam common
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message, but I was surprised to see that to
the post, answered just Sally.
3. Uncle Sam’s Citizenship
Her message was short and left me
stunned: ‘My dear friends, Uncle Sam
passed away. I’m wishing you a happy
Thanksgiving Day on his behalf to,
Goodbye. - Sally,’ She concluded the
message.
No way, had I thought so: Uncle Sam
cannot disappear. But if Sally said so, that
means something happened to Uncle Sam:
But what happened?
I immediately sent another message,
asking Sally to call me on my cell phone and
just explain what happened to Uncle Sam?
“I cannot believe Sally” I wrote: “It is a
historical joke or a true history? Only you
can explain: Please call me,” I sadly
concluded the message.
A few minutes later, while I was
serving in uniform at night and worked for a
Security Company, the cell phone began to
ring in my pocket: I knew it was Sally.
I remembered, however, that the
instructions in the job description states that
I was not allowed using the cell phone for
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personal purposes. Yet, it was about Uncle
Sam.
“Hi, Sally, I am John, what happened to
Sam? I hope it's a joke, right?” I opened the
discussion.
“No John” She answered: “It may be a
historical joke to some, like you said, but I
tell you now the whole truth: You have time
to listen to me?” She started her gentle
voice, I had heard years ago in San
Francisco airport, along with Uncle Sam,
when we were greeted on arrival in this
country.
“I hear you Sally, I'm sad but I'm ready
to listen with the greatest attention,” I
replied with a weak voice, slowly leaning
me back to my car.
“Well, John,“ She started, “all problems
have emerged two years ago from Sam's
desire to have himself a document to prove
his citizenship, to who will ask him for: We
lived then, as you know, in a small house
with a garden full of flowers, there in Castro
Valley, California, and was even Election
Day. We just were serving morning coffee
on the table in the garden, when our
neighbor Brian, cried out, over the fence:”
“A, Sam, today is Election Day, should
we go to vote?” He said.
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“Sure we go, but we come later,”
firmly replied, Uncle Sam.
“We have shown both that day to the
vote office, but Uncle Sam was not found on
any list: He become little irritated, when
tried to explain to those present there, who
he really was:” - ‘I am Uncle Sam, the one
of those who created this nation and no one
asked me by now, if I am citizen of this
country,’ Uncle Sam replied, irritated.
A young woman mocked him saying:
‘Sir, you’re not a US citizen and you
also say you're Uncle Sam, but come to us
without your high striped colorful hat: Come
on.’ That's hard upset Uncle Sam and we
returned home not voting at all.”
And Sally continued: “When we got
home, Uncle Sam took me in his arms,
kissed me and told me very clearly;” ‘Well, dear Sally, I have to apply for
citizenship. I need to have a document to
show them that I am a citizen of this country
since the beginning. These guys have started
to apply the Constitution very seriously
now. That's it, Sally, now are the days.’
“Well, Sally, You would have to help
Sam with anything?” I said.
“No. He, Uncle Sam, had never needed
anybody's help; he always based on respect,
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honesty and trusts those around him which
he helped to prosper and never laid them.
But things have changed around us and
worldwide. The times are not under the man
but the man is under the times, and Uncle
Sam must bow,” Sally replied.
“What happened next?“ I asked her
more curious.
“Well, as I say, from that day, he kept
the idea of citizenship. I tried as best I could,
but I could not get him to quit. One day, he
downloaded the internet Citizenship N-400
form to complete, and sent by mail along
with a check for the application fee, the size
of his monthly pension. Sam said that we
can make the effort worth it financially, and
we began to wait:”
Then, Sally continued: “After two
months, Uncle Sam was scheduled for the
first interview, where he was photographed
and they tried to fingerprint him but was
impossible because he was three hundred
years old and the skin of the fingers was
smooth and he had to take off his shoes.
‘Uncle Sam’ said nothing; he
understood that these were the days. He
returned home tired but still optimistic.”
Sally continued; “Over three more
months, he was called to the second
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interview, this time for language test and
questions about the nation's history; Dear
John, you're on the line? Do you hear
me?” Sally asked.
“Sure Sally, I'm all ears,” I said.
“Well, John,” She continued;
“I will never forget that day; Uncle
Sam returned home happy, relaxed, and
entered the house laughing of all his
mouth. He then told me, how was that
interview; Uncle Sam tried to convince
that Immigration officer to believe that
he was really Uncle Sam; a living
history of this country and elected its
representative for life. Sam explained
him that the Constitution of this country
was among the oldest in the world,
because he defended it and he was still
alive, to defend it further, in this
millennium.
Then, Uncle Sam to convince more
this officer, he answered within minutes
to all one hundred questions of the
naturalization test.”
“Sally, can you stop a little bit?” I
asked her. Uncle Sam has red all one
hundred questions of The Naturalization
Test?” I said.
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“No John; because he lived, as you
know, all the answers of one hundred
question test,” Sally answered slowly.
“Well Sally, what made Uncle Sam
to be so cheerful that day?” I asked
her again, and more curious.
“Good question,” She quickly replied
laughing: “Here's what John; the officer
told him stunned: - Mister, Uncle Sam,
please have a seat at the desk in my
place, and stay there for the next
hundred years. All Certificates of
Citizenship are in the top drawer;
completes one on your behalf and take
it. Now I feel like fainting,’ the officer
said.”
And Sally continued: “The officer
remained at his post, but the joke
amused Uncle Sam that day. The officer
did not know that he was very close to
the truth. Uncle Sam now hoped that
this process of naturalization will be
shorter. But it was not to be. Over three
more months, he was called again to a
third interview” Sally said and continued:
“Unfortunately, at this time Uncle
Sam was interviewed by a young lady
who seemed just finished high school.
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This, of course, in order to ensure her
career, turned poor Uncle Sam on all
sides, with all sorts of questions, some
silly, she read from a sheet of paper. As
a courtesy to the fair and looking to the
clock time passing too slowly, Sam
politely answered the questions still face.
At the end of the interview, the
young lady worker asked him; - If you
keep saying that you are Uncle Sam,
then, why did you come here today
without your high and starry hat?
Irritated, Uncle Sam remembered that
someone once, upset him with such a
question, and answered the girl with a
high tone: - Because people pointing
fingers at me and children run after me
on the street, young lady; and I'm a
serious
man, it’s why, young lady,
Okay?
‘Okay, but next time please brings
your hat,’ replied the girl.
‘What? Need to come again? And
what else should I bring Miss, exploded
out, Uncle Sam.
‘I'll tell you then, Goodbye,’ the
young lady officer replied calmly.
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Sally continued: “Returned home sad
and tired, Uncle Sam hugged me as
usual, then slowly stretched as he was
huge on our sofa, in the living room,
muttering inaudible; ‘Sally, dear, I'm
sorry I did not listen; why I need this
trouble right now in old age? Now I
feel bad. I'm finished.’
"John can you hear me?” Suddenly,
Sally asked.
“Yes, Sally, I hear you; I’m all ears,
but now I think I understand what
happened next with Uncle Sam,” I said.
“Dear John, I immediately called the
ambulance” Sally continued: “Until
paramedics arrived, Sam told me in a
whisper that if anything happens to him,
wants only me to lead him on his last
journey.” ‘I came alone as a single
settler in this country and I want to go
alone,’ he told me, and then he left his
head slightly to one side, and died
holding my hand.
Paramedics, who arrived quickly,
tried everything to revive him but could
not do anything. As a wife I respected
his last wish. Press and television, did
not know anything, and Uncle Sam's
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disappearance was not noticed by anyone
and for most of people, it has remained
the same universal loved citizen, but
invisible.”
Then, Sally continued: “Irony of fate,
two weeks after the trouble, I received a
letter that Uncle Sam was officially
invited to the oath ceremony of
citizenship. After nearly two years of
delays and dozens of documents, Uncle
Sam was now half citizen, but rested
entirely in the ground.”
“That was it, John,” Sally continued
deep breathing. “Now I am alone. I look
with pain on his hat and cane; I know
that you loved Uncle Sam. If you want,
I will send you his hat.”
“I would be honored to receive it
Sally; thanks a lot,” I replied.
“Okay, John, sure, I do not want to
scare you, but I think what happened to
Uncle Sam Citizenship is not a general
rule; maybe it's only happened, because
you see, some get fast a Certificate of
Citizenship; it may be also a lottery.
However, you should try it; you live
for many years here and have done so
many good things for this country;
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People know you and appreciate you.
Times are always changing; submit your
application for Citizenship as soon as
possible, my advice,” she insisted.
“Sure Sally, I want to be a citizen
of this country, but do not know if I
have any chance; you see if Uncle Sam
had problems what about me? I think
I’ll try because it's the only chance,” I
replied thoughtfully.
“Yes John, among many, who have
sought here Uncle Sam only few were
those who knew him personally, as you
are, and as you know, he always
appreciated you. I think it was the most
important thing for you. Soon as I can,
I'll send you his hat; keep it and his
memory and you will always feel his
presence around you; God rest his soul
in peace. Goodbye John,” Sally ended.
“God rest his soul in peace,” I said.
“Okay, John.”
“Okay Sally.”
4. Hat wonders
This year, just before Thanksgiving
Day, I received a package from Sally. It
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was bulky, but very light. She kept her
promise and I suspected what the
package contains.
Curious and happy that I had
something from Uncle Sam I opened the
package carefully: Inside was an old
cylindrical cardboard box, with the top
cover beautifully decorated.
The top cover calligraphy: ‘For Uncle
Sam, from me,’ then there was the date
July 4, 1776, followed by a very
decipherable signature; I understood
which President sent Uncle Sam this
wonderful gift, and with the same care, I
opened the box.
In the box was resting shiny almost
new, Uncle Sam’s hat and I felt its fine
vintage perfume?
At that moment, my whole house
was filled with a special shiny warm
light, and from the bedroom, my wife
had cried out to me; “John, I got rid of
rheumatism and I feel no pain anymore.
What are you doing? I’m coming to
make you an instant coffee right now,”
She said cheerfully,
She was right; because at that time
I thought I’ve rejuvenated at least forty
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years, and who knows what other
wonders were to appear from Uncle
Sam’s hat.
Surprised, I quickly closed the box
and left it on the desk, near my
computer. Since then, my computer
works very smooth, and the internet
connection is flawless. What a wonder?
This year, in her message of
Thanksgiving Day, Sally congratulated us
again and then asked me: “John, you've
got my package and Uncle Sam hat,
isn’t it?”
“Yes Sally, and thank you very
much. It is like a balm for my soul,” I
replied, cheerfully.
“Have you applied for Citizenship?”
She asked me again.
“O yes Sally; then, right after our
conversation,” I replied.
“O my Lord; there are two years
then; what is the result? Are you a
citizen?” She asked me curious.
“Well Sally, the process is still
pending, with many documents some
senseless and other trouble as Uncle Sam
had. Sometimes I think to quit. Than to
obtain Citizenship of this country in such
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manner, better to give up; I am an
honorable citizen of the country I was
born, and desire no offense,” I said.
“Don’t be so upset, John,” Sally
suddenly interrupted me: “I've told you
that no times are under the man, but the
man is under the times. Have a little
patience, and that you just paid good
money for that, right? In addition, now
you have Uncle Sam’s hat and his soul
close to you and who knows, things can
change,” she said.
“You right, so is Sally,” I said: “I
paid my pension as a fee as Uncle Sam
did, but also we were both offended and
human face wash harder. Unfortunately,
the Great Uncle Sam has not resisted to
survive, and passed away; I’m still alive.
Hope to give you better news next year;
Goodbye Sally.”
“Goodbye John.”
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PS
California 2014.
After four years of bureaucracy and delay, to get US
Citizenship, I wrote this short novel. Terrorists, get US
Citizenship ten times faster.
The Author
www.ioncarja.net
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