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Children, adults learn about frogs at Frances Slocum State Park

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Ceremony held in memory of Kurt Swan

<p>Recently, I made my way to New York City. I take for granted the city, as magical of a place as it is, sometimes because I grew up living only about 20 miles north. This trip, however, was different. It had been a while since I had been there, and I was traveling with a first-timer, so touristy things were bound to happen.</p><p>I arrived at Grand Central Terminal, and even though I&#8217;ve been there countless times, there&#8217;s nothing like walking from the train platforms to the main concourse, gazing upon the high ceiling with all its celestial constellations. It&#8217;s surely a sight to see.</p><p>Before I knew it, I was riding atop one of those double-decker tour buses. I&#8217;ve traveled all over the city, but never this way. We rode through midtown and the lower Manhattan, passing by the Financial District, catching glimpses of the Freedom Tower and eventually laying our eyes upon Lady Liberty.</p><p>It&#8217;s very humbling when I think about what the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island stand for, and that it&#8217;s only a two-hour drive from Wilkes-Barre.</p><p>Imagine it: It&#8217;s the early-1900s. You&#8217;ve heard great things about this country called America. It&#8217;s a long boat ride away, but if you make it there and work hard you can make your dreams come true. You can achieve your own American dream.</p><p>That&#8217;s a pretty intriguing concept if you&#8217;re from a war-torn village or under the oppression of an awful leader.</p><p>The stories included in this Coming to America section tell us about all that. Struggle. Determination. Hurt. Luck. Happiness.</p><p>Ronald Voveris&#8217; grandparents came from Lithuania. They spoke little English and put all their trust into a sponsor who would help them find shelter and work.</p><p>Vijay Arora was displaced as a refugee and found motivation to chase after and eventually live out his own American dream.</p><p>Mary Ruso Ermel&#8217;s ancestors came from Italy. Evidence of their struggle and perseverance is dotted across Wilkes-Barre.</p><p>Sheila Dziak&#8217;s mother is a war bride; the strong women written about over and over again in novels and history books.</p><p>Rich Zawatsky&#8217;s grandfather risked his life to be free from a Russia controlled Poland. He lived in fear but did so to make a better life for him and his family.</p><p>Mario Malvizzi was born in America than brought to Italy at a young age. He later came back to what he refers to as &#8220;his country&#8221; where he honorably served in the Navy.</p><p>These six stories are fascinating, and the tales continue to be priceless.</p><p>They&#8217;re stories of determination and perseverance. Loss and love.</p><p>It&#8217;s easy to take what we have for granted, but this Fourth of July, take a minute and contemplate what we&#8217;re celebrating: independence. The freedom to love, speak, pray and so much more.</p><p>Happy Fourth of July, everyone.</p><style>
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<div class="neCaption">Sarah Haase </div></div><div class="metaInfo"><photo0>https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/web1_Haase_Mug.jpg</photo0><caption0>Sarah Haase </caption0><photoCredit0></photoCredit0></div></div>
<div class="metaInfo"><bylineMeta><p>By Sarah Haase</p><p>shaase@www.timesleader.com</p></bylineMeta></div><div class="metaInfo"><shirttailMeta><p>Reach Sarah Haase as 570-991-6111 or by email, shaase@www.timesleader.com.</p></shirttailMeta></div>

Coming to America: Remembering where and how our stories began