The World Cup was a USA WINNER!
By
Larry Stein
We didn’t win World Cup but WE earned the International Award for “Best Country in the World” from all our international visitors.
Our visitors expected what the media predicted: a crime-ridden hellhole and a grim time in a country unable to handle the magnitude of the World Cup. Our visitors found out, “If you want to hate America, watch the news. If you want to love America, visit America!” The world came to America this year–and loved it.
Having the World Cup and America’s 250th Fourth of July birthday celebration coincide with each other was AMAZING!!! What a time to be an American and watch as we pampered our “international cousins” during what seemed like a HUGE SLEEPOVER! Our cousins marveled at our logistics. Handling more than 5 million visitors—what some thought would be a disaster—turned into an “average Thursday” and helped remind US how wonderful our country is!
The videos are everywhere—our visitors’ wide-eyed reactions to Buc-ee’s, Walmart, Costco, smoked meats, huge portions, free refills, ranch dressing, and air conditioning shattered the world’s image of US presented by some of the media. Glowing reports—some in tears of joy—told the world how wonderfully Americans treated them. Our visitors explained how “America the Beautiful” isn’t just a song or words on paper. They shared videos on social media declaring that AMERICA IS THE MOST BEAUTIFUL and breathtaking part of the world they had ever seen.
More than a century ago, after World War I, the novelty song “How Ya Gonna Keep ‘Em Down on the Farm (After They’ve Seen Paree)?” was popular. And just as described in that World War I song, the peaceful invasion of World Cup visitors has changed them, and they are now going home with new attitudes.
Our recent visitors have been infected by the American spirit! Our cities, our people, our culture, our food, our air conditioning, our incredible sights, and our amazing scenic vistas and views transformed our visitors forever. Our beautiful country, our friendliness, our boldness, our generosity, and our optimistic, unapologetic patriotism should also remind all Americans how special our country is.
It will never be the same for them—or for us. We found that those who visited helped us love our country even more as we celebrated our 250th birthday. And we reestablished why our nation continues to be a beacon of freedom, hope, and friendship around the world.
Isn’t that what Rotary Club 29 has helped accomplish as we send our members around the world spreading The Oklahoma Standard? All the diplomats throughout history have never accomplished more to create peace and understanding than what America has done for our visitors with barbecue, Buc-ee’s, Walmart, Costco, ranch dressing, free refills of Dr Pepper, and air conditioning. Our “cousins” have reminded us why we proudly place our hand over our heart when we say the Pledge of Allegiance and sing the National Anthem at every Rotary meeting.
That could be the best birthday present ever.
Our visitors marveled at our patriotism, our National Anthem, and the Stars and Stripes displayed EVERYWHERE. When our visitors return home, they will fold their flags, put them in a safe place, and dream of getting to use the banner again at the next World Cup. While some of the world has lost its patriotism, Americans profess theirs every day. We proudly keep our pride on display, singing our National Anthem, pledging allegiance, and flying our beautiful flags all year long.
The next World Cup—and every World Cup in the future—will be compared to the American standard: the 2026 World Cup. FIFA might want to make the USA the permanent home of the World Cup. Only in America could this world event be so successful and popular.
Thank you to all our citizens who welcomed our cousins and displayed such amazing hospitality and kindness-The American Standard.
God Bless America!
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