There are many things that come to mind when I ask myself what it means to me to be an American in Detroit.  I feel blessed to be born in Detroit in the heartland of the “land of the free and the home of the brave.”  One very attractive feature is the fresh water of the Great Lakes and specifically the Detroit River.  This print of the Boblo boat St Clair passing under the Ambassador Bridge on the Detroit River reminds me of the freedom we enjoy visiting another country at will on a magnificent waterway that has comeback from once being declared dead. Now Detroit (in the background) is on a similar path. 

As for the brave, in 1942 my father joined the Navy at age 17 and became a gunner aboard a torpedo bomber from the USS Tulagi.  His log book shows 53 launches and 52 returns.  Looking back, we believe he suffered from PTSD for the remainder of his life.  Despite that, he and my mother were married for 62 years until passing, loved us very much and made sure my brother, sister and I were college educated and had all they could offer. 

I live, work and grew up in the area south of Detroit known as Downriver. For many it brings visions of smokestacks, industry and blue-collar working families.  While that is true, I know we have a close community of hard working and very friendly people that love the area they live in. 

– Paul Jocks

Relationship:  Great-grandchild of im/migrant or more Great-grandchild of im/migrant or more