We asked people to participate in Real American Stories and were astonished by the responses we received. From people we stopped on the sidewalk to household names eager to tell their unique and inspiring American stories.
Fast and furious, this American tradition features tiny tots riding woolly wonder beasts.
Jamie Poindexter’s drumline is bringing together a tough neighborhood with a joyful beat.
A barista gives a kidney to a complete stranger, giving her the ultimate pick-me-up.
Raised by migrant farm workers, Jose Hernandez used hard work and a big heart to reach the stars.
Monica Haslip’s afterschool program is creating artists and serious entrepreneurs.
Michael Reagan and his Fallen Heroes Project provides closure for the families left behind.
This shoe shine man is changing the world through his Clean Water Foundation.
Through hard work and perseverance, Mila Apostol created the little store that could.
A refugee survivor, Derreck Kayongo is saving the world, one bar of soap at a time.
Some call air guitar part perf. art, pro wrestling and rock’n’roll. Whatever it is, it sure is fun!
A DC inner city school teaches rugby to a school for the deaf and the results are loud and clear.
A DC inner city school teaches rugby to a school for the deaf and the results are loud and clear.
Aaron Dworkin brings classical music to the inner city, and opens up a world of possibilities.
An Iraq War veteran, James talks about surviving a suicide attack and serving our country.
She talks about coming over from Italy as a child and the chances America has given her.
She’s following in grandfather’s footsteps, paying it forward, and living up to her good name.
Her parents left Albania so she could grow up with the freedom to live out her “American Dream.”
A 1st grade teacher talks about teaching the Pledge of Allegiance to her students.
She raised nine children and talks about overcoming adversity and following your dreams.
As devoted parents, they provided a safe and loving environment for over 40 foster babies.
She shares her ancestors’ sacrifices and struggles for the freedoms we enjoy in America.
Inspired by wounded soldiers, he’s in med school training to become a doctor in the U.S. Army.
Julie Smith & Joyce Hogan have served our nation through their husbands’ military service.
They adopted two children from Russia and share how the experience changed their lives.
Vietnam Vet who talks about how service changed his life and his feeling for this country.
He compares football to unity and talks about the importance of America coming together.
She’s a 3rd generation American who talks of fulfilling the dreams of our founding fathers.
A Vietnam Vet, Anthony talks about surviving a vicious attack, and the costs of freedom.
The couple talks about raising their kids and the freedoms we cherish in this country.
A teacher who credits her ancestors for giving us the freedoms we share in this country.
A Cuban American who talks about how her father risked his life to bring his family here.
Married for 52 years, they talk about growing up and raising a family in a small town.
He came from India to become an engineer and is currently applying for U.S. citizenship.
The award winning country music group talks about performing for the troops in Iraq.
babe
da best. Keep it going! Thank you
congrats welcome to america
Your story is an inspiration. This is the reason I believe so much in America. How grateful I am to live in a country that offers so much opportunity.
Ciao Giuliana,
I saw your video on this site and read some of the comments you received. I, too, am an immigrant from Italy who uses himself often as an example of the (American) merit system that works. My father, a sculptor from Carrara, came to Vermont in 1948. The rest of the family followed Christmas o f 1951. No English, no connections. By 1956, four years later, I had received a nomination to West Point; entered in 1957. After graduation served in the US Army for 28 years, eventually becoming the US Army Attache’ to Italy. Left as an immigrant at 13, returned as a senior military representative and diplomat at 47. After that, I spent another 11 years at US Embassy Rome fostering Italian-American relations. Our Italian friends find the story almost unreal, as this type of thing does not usually happen in Italy. I am proud of being an Italian, from a family which gave much to the US, but even more proud of what I, through hard work and dedication, was able to give back to my adoptive country. Keep up the good work.
Warm regards,
Andry Sarzanini
COL US Army (retired)
I know your father he is my tailor and he is the best congradualations on all your succes
Ms. Rancic, this is precisely what out country is about. This is why we are, above all else, American. Here, we are able to do not only what we can, but also that what we dream. My family came from Central Europe when I was 2. Similarly, they did what your parents did…the sacrifice, the doing without, only so the kids can excel.
For some reason, native-born Americans are losing a fundamental understanding of the nature of this country. I hope and trust that folks such as yourself, highly visible, well-spoken, and well-respected, will continue to truly express and personally demonstrate why we are all American, above all else.
Ciao Giuliana
I am Editor/CEO of the Amici Journal National Italian American Lifestyle Magazine.
I saw you on the Glenn Beck show, I was struck with your poignant story. I would love to interview you and do a feature story in our upcoming edition of the Amici Journal. Your story has so much relevance, as spoke of America and how your family struggled to get hear.
We would like to share your story with our readers, that have had similar sentiment. I am proud to be an Italian, but first and foremost we must be Americans. Great story
Dear Sire, Madam, dear citizens of America,
Where ever our ancestors came from,
God is our Leader!
God is our Trust!
In God we have Justice!
Let us make the world a Better World
for You and for Me!
Greetings and Take Care,
Jurgen R. Brul
Clark Marshall,
I hate to tell you bud, but I know many Americans who have degrees and cannot make ends meet. And it is not only because of “taxes” or “bureaucracy”.
ciao bella, Giuliana
You are a beautiful American. When we sing of purple mountains and fruited plains, we should include your lovely face and all the diverse lovely faces that make up America. Freedom is based on what God has created for us. I’m glad He’s created you.
ciao!
beautiful sentiment from a beautiful lady. in this country, we are all limited by our own doings. what a point she makes!
thank you for sharing, Giuliana, and may you find more success and happiness in your life.
Even though i see you from afar, i cant help but wonder how confident you sound on television. i watch you from Nigeria and i thank God for the opportunity you got to make a difference for yourself
Giuiana, what a brave and beautiful woman you are. How successful you have become. My heart breaks when I hear and see natural born Americans scoff at this wonderful country. I believe they are uneducated and unwilling to learn about this great democracy and are bitter in some way that others have taught them. Just one day, one month, or one year outside of our borders would show them the grace God has poured into this land. I have traveled and I too cannot find the safety, opportunities, and comfort the United States provides me. God bless the U.S.A.
Giuliana,
You are the most beautiful woman! This short story made me laugh when you said you looked different and (of course) spoke differently when you came here. Again, you are beautiful. This country is one of opportunity. I am glad you have been welcomed. You and Obama have both lived the American dream. WoooooHoooo
She’s so inspiring. What a joy she is and I’m proud to count her
as a fellow American.
Thanks Juliana!!!
I have lived various areas of Italy, including Naples, off and on as a missionary and a student for several years. I can honestly say that the opportunities we enjoy as Americans are not available in any other country, even Italy. My heart is Italian, and I love Italy with all of my heart. But being here for this long has opened my eyes to the great nation which I call my own, and the freedoms that America allows. People here, whether motivated and hard working or not, are limited in their opportunites because of layers of bureaucracy, laws, and taxes that have, in many cases, been left in place from past crisis and events, and no longer serve a puropose. It’s hard for me to see and talk to my friends here about their challenges. They often can’t make ends meet, even after having gone to school for a degree and working as hard as Americans do in their fields. Those same people would have many more opportunities, and far fewer hardships, where they on American soil.
We enjoy great opportunities, and you’re right, on the whole I think we do a good job with them and with each other.
Thanks again,
Clark
We loved it. Merry Christmas!
good luck