On July 28, the New York Times ran the story of Ayad al-Sirowiy.

He was brought to America from Iraq to have surgery. When it was time for him to go back home, young 13-year-old Ayad didn’t want to go.

He asked Samir Shakir M. Sumaida’ie, the Iraqi ambassador to the U.N., if he could stay in the United States and work.

The Times reported that “when the ambassador shook his head, Ayad’s father covered his face and cried.” He said, “I thought the Americans could do everything.”

As Sumaida’ie toured the Pentagon with Ayad, the young Iraqi noticed a picture of President George W. Bush. He stopped, saluted the picture and said in broken English “Bush very, very good.” He later whispered to his dad “I hope we come back.”

When I read the article, I couldn’t help but be filled with pride, joy and sadness. Pride and joy because someone loves this country so much they don’t want to leave and sadness because I realized I have taken my freedoms and good fortune of being American for granted.

People like Ayad and his father would make wonderful Americans, because they understand how precious our freedoms are.

My joy quickly turned to anger when I saw coverage of the anti-war protests in Washington, D.C. All too often those who don’t appreciate their freedoms tend to misuse and abuse them.

Cindy Sheehan, the so-called “anti-war mom,” is a perfect example.

I saw footage of Sheehan smiling when she got arrested for sitting down in front of the White House during the rally.

When she refused to “move along” as police instructed, they arrested her. Why was she smiling when she was being arrested? Who in their right mind would be happy to be arrested?

Then I was watching Fox News, where journalist John Gibson reported Sheehan left an entry on a left-wing blog complaining how the hurricane coverage overshadowed her.

According to Gibson, Sheehan wrote “it is a little wind and a little rain … it’s bad but there are other things going on in the country.”

Sheehan’s actions were reprehensible and a blatant abuse of her freedoms, which her son died protecting and spreading to people like Ayad.

Her crusade is no longer about the war or the lives lost. It has become about her selfishness and utter contempt toward others in pain.

The Gulf Coast lost so much in the past month. Some lost far more than Sheehan. Shame on her for not joining the rest of America by providing her support.

Instead she complained their suffering overshadowed hers.

I wish America had more Ayads and less Cindy Sheehans. He made me think.

Why is it we are the envy of the world? If America is the racist, sexist, evil country so many here at home profess, why do they continue to stay?

Why is it so many people want to be here – with many risking their lives to do so?

Last time I checked, it isn’t Americans crowding into unsafe rafts and floating their way to Cuba. I never heard of Americans getting lost and dying in the desert on their way to Mexico.

Why? It’s because we live in the greatest country on earth. America offers more opportunities and freedoms than anywhere else, and it is a shame I needed a wonderful little Iraqi boy to help me remember that.

But at least I realize it. The Cindy Sheehans of the world will never know how good they have it here, and that truly is a shame.

Columns reflect the opinion of the author and not necessarily that of the Northern Star staff.