ABOUT ME

In the United States Declaration of Independence our Founding Fathers began by declaring the causes which led them to believe that separation was necessary. They began with a statement well-known to us all:

We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they

are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights, that among these

are Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness.

                                             -Declaration of Independence, July 4, 1776

These fundamental guarantees were heard around the world in 1776, but the news spread slowly at first since the fastest modes of transportation in the late 18th and early19th centuries were horseback and sailing vessels.  America gradually built a reputation as the land of opportunities.  

Many years later and after defeat in two World Wars, the people of Germany still wanted to emigrate to the United States.  The American Dream was still alive and the United States was known as "das land der unbegrenzten moeglichkeiten,” the land of unlimited opportunities.  I was a young boy at the end of World War II and shortly before it ended, my grandmother whispered in my ear and said, “When you grow up, we go to America.”  I can still hear her words and even though, the Allies had bombed her home and business to smithereens, she still believed in the dream. 

Grandmother didn’t make it, but I did. At 8:00 am, on November 10, 1956, I, Rudolf K. Heusuk, an 18-year-old German immigrant, stepped off the M.S. Berlin in New York City.  I was in debt $238.00 for the fare and unable to speak, write or read the English language.  Before leaving Germany, I had to venture to the American General Consulate in Hamburg, Germany to get my immigration visa. At that location and almost ceremonially, I had to swear and agree to:

·                 Renounce my German itizenship

·                 Swear that I would learn English

·                 Swear that I would serve in the military

·                 Swear never to come to the Government of the USA for welfare

·                 Swear that I would never raise my hand to teach

I upheld my end of the bargain, with the exception of teaching, which I loved, and people appreciated it. 

I worked off my debt to the farmer who had sponsored my passage, learned English, and strived for assimilation.  In 1961, I was drafted into the U.S. Army and was sent back to Germany to serve in the 28th Infantry Division.  After five years of service, I was honorably discharged in 1966.  I came home from Germany with a wife and three small boys and somehow found my way to Morton, Illinois where I was hired into the fledgling Morton Building Company. 

Over time I became fascinated with history, and also deeply concerned about the decay of American values.  Late in my life I came to the realization that I had neglected my duties as a father as they are presented to us in Deuteronomy 6 beginning with verse 5:

         Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with

         all your strength.  These commands that I give you today are to be on your

         hearts.  Impress them on your children.

                                                                                 Deuteronomy 6:5-7

I took my family to church on Christmas and Easter, but I did not instill in them a Biblical worldview or paideia that centered around God. It takes a Godly set of parents, extended family, and church family to raise children the way God intended.  I have come to realize that parents today need as much help as they can get to instill Christian paideia and raise Godly children in today’s secular world.   

Through much research, I have come to believe that classical Christian education is one answer. So, in support of the Association of Classical Christian Schools, I will donate the proceeds of my publications.