To the Editor:

Every year on the 4th of July, I think about how lucky I am to live in the greatest country in the world. Our country was founded by European immigrants who wanted opportunity without economic suppression or religious persecution. The founding fathers established our country as a place of religious freedom, of separation of church and state, so that everyone could be free to worship in their own way.

Throughout our history, we have had a steady flow of immigrants seeking life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness, those unalienable rights guaranteed by the Declaration of Independence, celebrated on this holiday. My grandparents were among those immigrants. They escaped religious persecution, and like most immigrants, worked hard to make a better life for their families.

Immigrants have come from all over the world, from many different religions and cultures. As a citizen of this country, I am privileged to enjoy the benefits that have been created for me by immigrants. They built our railroads, dug our canals, and picked our produce. They brought us hot dogs, blue jeans, and basketball.

Immigrants and their descendants are integral to our great country, and I'm proud to welcome them to the land of the free.

Betsy Litt

86 Great Hill Road, Newtown July 6, 2018