Due to a comment on another blog that seemed to question whether one could both proclaim that they are an American (instead of a Hyphen-American) and celebrate their heritage, I present this rambling rant.
My mother is an American. Her mother is of Slovakian descent and her genetic father is Hungarian (by way of Czeckoslovakia). Her step-father is Pennsylvania Dutch and was the biggest influence upon her diet and cooking. I suppose she is guilty of not "celebrating her heritage" or some such? Feh. She is a wonderful American.
My father is an American, a New Yorker to be precise. He has decided late in life that he is Irish-American (actually 25%, genetically) and has even visited Ireland. He has reluctantly admitted to me that even he has no "right to return" to the Emerald Isle, so I won't be eligible either. (This doesn't bother me as I'm already a citizen of the greatest nation on Earth.) Dad's dad is 50% Irish and his grandfather was 100% (1st generation American, although I had previously thought he was the one who came over on the boat). My Dad was an NYC police sergeant, his father was an NYC beat cop and his father was a chaffeur. My grandfather was very intent on not belonging to organizations such as the Emerald Society (an Irish Policeman's fraternity), since he wanted to eschew the stigma of being an Irishman and preferred to think of himself as an American, as good as any other man. (One of my uncles thought I might be my grandfather reincarnated; I must admit I have similarities without ever having met the man.) My father's mother was... mixed. Possibly some Irish, definitely some English, other than that... I don't know. And it doesn't really matter to me.
I'm happy to know about some of my family background (I imagine that, as my father digs about more, more of it will come to light) and I find it interesting to see where my physical attributes come from. Honestly, my children are even more "mixed" than I... but I don't see any problem with that. I believe it is quite possible to celebrate our American heritage.
My paternal grandfather served in the United States Army Air Corps. My father served in the United States Air Force. My eldest brother served in the United States Air Force. I proudly serve in the Army of the United States of America.