INDEPENDENCE DAY

by Ann Marie Kennon images courtesy Nick Adams/FLAG Nick Adams is All In For America

July is a time to celebrate America, its history, and its exceptionalism. At the same time, we must not fail to recognize the vigilance required to maintain these legacies and help us reach our tricentennial intact. Fortunately, among the many who love America and are committed to these goals is a warrior born in Australia.

EXCEPTIONAL LIFE

Nick Adams celebrated his 17th birthday on September 5, 2001. Less than a week later, from across the globe, he was pondering the terrorist attacks and realized the planes might have crashed in London or Sydney. "I believe history bestows a task of great importance upon every generation," he says. "At that moment, I realized it is incumbent upon my generation to stand up for America."

Having survived three years of treatment for Stage IV Neuroblastoma (a rare childhood cancer), before he even started kindergarten, Nick recalls being drawn to America from a young age. It seems evident that the same grit he showed in his fight against cancer served him well in his service to his community in Australia and in his fight—on two continents—for America. "Growing up in Australia in the 80s and 90s, as in most parts of the world, nearly all the television and movies we had were from the United States. There was something electrifying about the colorful characters and an optimism associated with all of those things. From Full House to Die Hard, I realized the U.S. was a different place than where I was living. I was attracted to that energy, hustle, and positive vibe."

His fascination with America crystallized while studying American politics, history, and government at university. He says, "Getting a sense of the United States' origins through the founding documents that represent its values, I fell in love, academically. It grew from curiosity to affection and admiration."

Nick's own energy and charisma did not go unnoticed. He was elected a Councilman in the Sydney area at the age of 19, and at age 21, became the youngest-ever deputy mayor in Australian political history.

I expected America to be amazing. It ended up being amazing on steroids.

COMING TO AMERICA

Finally, on June 8, 2009, he arrived in America for the first time and during that first four-week tour, affection turned to love.

Now an enthusiastic 24-year-old, Nick had written to more than 70 clubs, chambers, political groups, and even fire stations across the country, offering to share his remarkable life story. His visit to America coincided with mainstream criticism of President Obama's perceived failure to stand up for American exceptionalism. Nick's goal, then, was to encourage others with his message about loving America. Fueled by his energy and enthusiasm, a five-stop tour turned into 23 speeches in 13 states.

"I first arrived as a bright-eyed, bushy-tailed tourist and over the months and years and many more trips, I got the attention of cable news networks," he says. "I signed book deals with major publishers and launched myself into a platform that has since reached more than 50 million people."

2ND BEST DAY

On July 29, 2016, after a long and challenging journey to receive his Green Card, Nick returned to

America for good. Being here, he says, "is like winning the best lottery of life." Remembering the challenges of his early childhood, he adds, "I learned to never, ever waste a minute. I have chased every dream and pursued every opportunity and now I speak about America—a country that rewards boldness—with the zeal of a convert to demonstrate how legal immigrants can help steer America to safety and celebrate her 300th birthday."

EXCEPTIONAL MESSAGE

Not content to just talk about the American dream, Nick founded the Foundation for Liberty and American Greatness, a 501(c)3 non-profit in 2016 in his apartment garage. The mission of FLAG is to:

Rally everyday Americans against socialism and promote the American way of life. Fight against the false narrative that America is a terrible country. Create and distribute materials that teach civics and the greatness of America to K-12 students.

Spearhead a movement of legal immigrants, give voice to their patriotism and fight back against those who would eliminate their desire to do so.

To date, more than 1 million students have received at least one of FLAG's resources, including the world's first plain English versions of our founding documents for kids—the Student's Constitution© , Student's Declaration of Independence©, and the Citizen's Guide to the Electoral College. FLAG also provides classroom materials, videos, lesson plans, and guest speakers for classrooms across the country. "We are non-political," he adds. "Speaking in schools is an important commission but there will be a gap before those students are in positions of influence to support bigger things. America also needs action now and my vision for FLAG is to become a voice for traditional America and the anti-woke—perhaps become to the everyday patriot what the NRA is to the 2nd Amendment lover."

Every day, Nick is outspoken about his distaste for those lucky enough to have been born here but do not acknowledge how special and wonderful it is. He says, "The whole world wants to come here but there are Americans who tell us how bad it is." He has previously spoken in Georgetown and hopes to reach even more across Williamson County and all of Texas. "I came here because America isn't like everywhere else and I wanted to make sure it doesn't turn out like everywhere else."

EXCEPTIONAL CITIZEN

Nick is living the American dream. He has been an honorary Texan since 2013 and eight other Governors have awarded him honorary status in their respective states as well. President Trump tweeted about his books so frequently that media outlets referred to him as the President's favorite author. He appears on Fox News frequently and between speaking, running FLAG, fundraising and all other commitments, he is virtually in a different city every day.

Every year, FLAG hosts a Gala that has high profile speakers such as Dennis Quaid, Laura Ingraham, and Bill O'Reilly. Pres. Trump also appointed Nick to the Board of the Smithsonian Institution's Wilson Center. Nick invites everyone to be a part of FLAG as a volunteer, donor, or host for a speaking engagement. "FLAG has now become one of the leading K-12 educational groups in America because we are all about aspiration and inspiration—we want every young American to tie their personal dreams to love of country. We see that as the answer to the increasing lack of patriotic pride in our youth." To learn more about FLAG's resources, attend the gala, or to book Nick for a group or school setting, visit his website FLAGUSA.org.

Nick Adams' Best Day

On December 20, 2021, when Nick became an American Citizen, he had a major celebration and turned his home into a museum for all the awards and memorabilia he received in his time touring around America.

Nick says, "It's simple: I have big dreams, and I want to leave a legacy."