DEAR SUN SPOTS: On Saturday night, June 26, on the “Lawrence Welk Show” a man recited a short story titled “I am the United States.” It was wonderfully patriotic (something we can all use just now). I’d love to have a copy of it. It was from a very old show. Can you help me find it? Maybe MPBN would know. Thank you. — Russell, Auburn

ANSWER: According to the online posting Sun Spots found, the author of this inspirational poem is unknown. Here are the words she found:

“I am the United States. I was born on July 4, 1776, and the Declaration of Independence is my birth certificate.

“The bloodlines of the world run in my veins because I offered freedom to the oppressed. I am many things and many people.

“I am the United States.

“I am 180 million living souls and the ghosts of millions who have lived and died for me. I am Nathan Hale, Paul Revere, Washington, Jefferson and Patrick Henry. I am John Paul Jones, The Green Mountain Boys and Davy Crockett.

“I am Independence Hall,the Monitor and the Merrimac. I am Lee, Grant and Abe Lincoln.

“I remember the Alamo, the Maine and Pearl Harbor. When freedom called, I answered and stayed until it was over over there.

“I am the Brooklyn Bridge, the wheat lands of Kansas and the granite hills of Vermont. I am the coal fields of the Virginias and Pennsylvania, the fertile lands of the West, the Golden Gate and the Grand Canyon.

“Ohhhh, I am big. I sprawl from the Atlantic to the Pacific. Three million square miles throbbing with industry.

“I am George Washington Carver, Daniel Webster and Jonas Salk. I am more than 170,000 schools and colleges and 250,000 churches where my people worship God as they think best.

“I am the roar of a crowd in a stadium and the voice of a choir in a cathedral. I am Franklin Delano Roosevelt, Dwight D. Eisenhower and John F. Kennedy.

“Yes, I am the nation and these are the things that I am. I was conceived in freedom and God willing, in freedom I will spend the rest of my days. May I possess always the integrity, the courage and the strength to keep myself unshackled, to remain a citadel of freedom and a beacon of hope to the world.

“I am the United States.”

DEAR SUN SPOTS: Since Radio City went out of business, I have tried to find a shop or person that repairs car radios. I had an appointment with Radio City to repair my Yamaha car radio, but when I called all of their stores I discovered that they had closed their doors.

Everyone I talk to for repairs suggested Radio City; they did not know they were out of business. So I need help finding someone close to the Norway area for radio repairs.

ANSWER: The only place Sun Spots found was Sound Effects, 625 Washington St. North, Auburn, 777-3339. She suspects that car radios are like many other electronics these days; it’s cheaper to replace them than to fix them.

DEAR SUN SPOTS: I need five more to finish my collection of the calendar series from Red Rose tea. I have three July, two January, one April and one December to give away. Also, one kitten, one duck and one parrot from the last set. Call me at 782-6953. — Muriel, Lewiston

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