Hispanic in Highlands

In reference to Highlands Today "Hispanic in Highlands'' (Sunday, Jan.3,) it would be good to congratulate those hard working Hispanics who have made their way out of their dictatorship-ruled countries into the freedom of America. It is also well to realize that many of my Cuban friends who have fled Castro would actually bleed red, white and blue for the United States of America.

My great-grandfather was from Spain by way of Cuba and then Puerto Rico. Many of my friends and former flight students are from Cuba and Puerto Rico where I taught pilots for Prinair and Caribair.

It may also do us well to realize that many are fleeing Miami because in most parts of Miami-Dade County you not only have to push one for English but English is no longer the language of choice. My grandchildren are required to do their math and other subjects in Spanish as well as English. The Cuban-American Dry Foot Policy allows Cubans who flee Castro to remain in the United States by simply placing a dry foot on our soil. Entitlement, often with government benefits, follows. Although those fleeing Castro have often seen what a dictatorship is all about the entitlement felt to not assimilate into American ethos is alive and well in Miami. Miami has become the Third-World country that many have fled.

Welcome all who legally want to come to America and become American citizens. My grandmother held her small American flag that she received when she became an American citizen with pride, until the day she passed away. Congratulations to all Hispanics in Highlands County who have decided to become Americans and to speak our native language of English.

These Americans, now in Highlands County, are the ones who understand our freedom and the ones who have seen the feeling of entitlement change Miami. Miami was once "home" to those of us who were born and raised there. Now we only visit if we have to and consider it a trip outside of the United States of America.

Rob Mixon
Sebring