I have grown up and grown old with the privilege of living in a democracy. It may not be perfect, but it is the next best thing to it.

I had ancestors who fought against a king, and created our democracy. I had a grandfather who fought in World War I in Italy for the sake of democracy. I had uncles who fought in the South Pacific and Europe in World War II for the sake of democracy.

President Zelenskyy of Ukraine was thrown out of the White House. In 1827, supporters of John Quincy Adams championed to have a “people’s house that represents the American people.” The current occupant of the Oval Office does not represent the majority of the American people.

President Zelenskyy is a brave man, standing up and leading a fight for democracy because the Ukrainian people do not want to be annexed into a country controlled by a brutal dictator. America must stand with the Ukrainian people because we chose to be a republic, with self-government and personal freedoms, and if it is the will of the people, then, may God bless America to continue celebrating Independence Day and shining the beacon for democracy.

LARRY ALLEN

Astoria