Ex-Vietnam POW warns: Americans ‘cannot appreciate what we have until you lose it’
Everett Alvarez, a former Vietnam POW, reflects on the American Dream and the importance of appreciating freedoms. He emphasizes that many Americans do not realize the value of their situation until it is lost. Alvarez shares his experiences as a POW and warns of global threats that make the American way of life precious.
- ▪Everett Alvarez was the first American pilot shot down over North Vietnam in 1964 and spent over eight years as a POW.
- ▪He believes that young people today do not understand how fortunate they are to live in America.
- ▪Alvarez stresses the importance of recognizing the dangers posed by countries like Russia, China, and North Korea.
Opening excerpt (first ~120 words) tap to expand
American Dreamers US News Ex-Vietnam POW warns: Americans ‘cannot appreciate what we have until you lose it’ By Post Staff Report Published May 25, 2026, 7:00 a.m. ET See more of our coverage in your search results. Add The New York Post on Google From today through July 4, The Post, in conjunction with the Milken Center for Advancing the American Dream, is featuring US citizens explaining what the American dream means to them in 2026. Up first is Everett Alvarez, a retired commander in the US Navy, now living in Maryland. We’re not a perfect union. But I tell you, it’s the best experiment that the world’s ever seen. I’m an example of the American dream. My grandparents, both maternal and paternal, were from Mexico. I was born in Salinas, California.
…
Excerpt limited to ~120 words for fair-use compliance. The full article is at New York Post.
Discussion
0 commentsMore from New York Post
