We are proud Americans, but many folk might be surprised at the histories that move us, the anthems that inspire us, the nations and stories we also revere.  Our ancestors, immediate and distant, were merchant mariners, U.S. Navy Men, including Secretary of the U.S. Navy​ Samuel L. Southard, highly decorated military heroes of the U.S. Army Special Forces and the Amphibian Engineers.  One of our Chairperson's more distant direct ancestors, Anthony Janszoon van Salee, was (arguably) the FIRST MUSLIM to arrive in New Amsterdam. He brought (arguably) the FIRST COPY of the GLORIOUS QUR'AN to these shores, Allah be praised!  His father, Jan Janszoon  van Haarlem, was Dutch, but was known as the dread Barbary pirate, Murat Reis the Younger  of the independent Republic of Salé.