As Connex247 continues its seventh anniversary celebration, it occurred to me that we should do a feature honoring all our good friends from the United States as they mark Independence Day on July 4.

I consulted with a couple of my friends, and they suggested we feature a number of models from the USA -- something we do all the time. Anyway, my good buddy Mike expressed his confidence in me, "You will come up with something. You always do."

Well, at about four a.m. where I live in British Columbia, it struck me and I sent a text message to Bruno Serato asking him to call me as soon as possible. (It was three a.m. in Anaheim, California, where Bruno lives!)

While waiitng for Bruno to call me, I browsed through his recently released book -- "Temptation at the White House" a cookbook by Bruno Serato. But Temptation is much more than a cookbook.

In fact Bruno and all those involved with him in the project have produced a unique contribution to book publishing with a combination of autobiography of the man who came to the United States from his native Italy with very little in 1980, to photographs of undoubtedly some of the most gorgeous male models ever all together in one place (Connex247 excluded of course!!!), to photos of the incredible dishes served at the Anaheim White House restaurant, to recipes! So it is a cookbook too!

And while I will likely never try cooking from any of the recipes, much preferring to visit the White House where the service is truly incredible and the food beyond belief, including the lemon tarts that Bruno had made especially for me when he learned of my love for them when I was in California last year.

Back to July 4! Bruno reflects the good people of the United States who have strived to fulfill the American Dream and give back as the distinguished  photographer Greg Gorman noted in his introduction.

"Bruno's kindness and generosity extend far beyond taking care of his numerous friends and family. His philanthropic work is really one of his life's major goals and accomplishments. Few people that I've ever know are so devoted to making the world a better place for those less privileged."

My thoughts also turned to the models who grace the pages of Bruno's book, for they too are part of the American Dream. I don't know all of them personally but as Connex247 visitors are aware, I sure know Leighton Stultz, and I had the privilege to meet Danie Yssel when both models were in Calfornia for the book shoot.

Leighton and Danie represent, to me at least, all that is good about our youth in the early years of the 21st century. Leighton comes from a military family and both his father and brother are currently serving in the US military in Iraq. Danie, who came to the United States from South Africa served in the US forces in Iraq and was gravely injured but is making a good recovery.

Notwithstanding the difficult times for Leighton and Danie, they have a spirit of optimism about them, and are among the kindest and most gracious people I have ever met. I only know the other models from the pages of Temptation, but I am sure they too are among the best of the best.

So here you are America, celebrating July 4 facing many challenges. But I give you Bruno, Leighton, Danie and all the others involved in the successful production of Temptation at the White House, to show you that in my travels as a Canadian, I have discovered that the American Dream is alive and well in people like the Italian immigrant of almost 30 years ago, the young man from South Africa who enlisted in your military, and my friend Leighton who makes me feel much younger than I am each and ecery day!

And yes, I am looking forward to having more lemon tarts at the White House, and yes, Bruno, I am singing  "God bless America" today!

Photos are provided by Bruno Serato.

To order Temptation at the White House go to www.anaheimwhitehouse.com