The day, the meaning: Being an American
|
The Star asked readers to answer a simple question: What does it mean to be an American? We received many responses, and below are brief excerpts from some of the best: Fighting for freedom To be an American is a privilege. I am proud of my country and can understand why everyone wants to live here. You cannot truly appreciate this country until you have ventured out to other countries and their way of living. My husband fought for our freedom, and too many Americans don't understand that freedom does not come free. Sandie Pasquinelli Honoring the brave Being an American means living in a country that was founded on religious principles and the belief in God Almighty. It means living in a country where I am free to worship God in my home and church. It means living in a nation where men and women stand and salute the American flag and are proud to do so. It means praying for and honoring our brave men and women who defend our freedoms. It means electing politicians for their religious beliefs, as well as their ability to lead our country, and lifting those politicians up daily in prayer. Brenda Parker Americans' freedoms To be an American is to be free. To be free is to be allowed equal rights permitting equal limits. To me, being free is not having to worry about diseases such as malaria. To me, being free is not having to pay to use public facilities. To me, being free is having the right to speak my mind. To me, being free is being trusted to refill my own drink. To me, being free is being safe. To me, being free is having the ability to choose my own path in life. Freedoms, no matter how simple or how complex, how big or how small, all mean so much to American society. Being free, safe and happy is what being an American means to me. Nisha Kashyap Best place to live I thank God that I was born in America, where our founders understood tyranny, oppressive taxation and religious persecution and they birthed a nation where freedom and opportunity are its foundations. As an American, I can serve others, own land, freely worship God and pursue any vocation that I desire. Being an American is having the absolute best chance of any place on earth to live free, sleep in peace and follow my dreams to their greatest fulfillment. Ralph Cook Enjoying this nation To be an American means you don't have to emigrate from someplace else to enjoy the wealth and prosperity of freedom. Phil Viscasillas U.S. made an impression I left my homeland of England at age 15 with a burning desire to become an American. After World War II, I had many chances to observe the U.S. soldiers stationed in my hometown. Their kindness, their attitude, their willingness to share whatever they could, I wanted to be just like them. The stories they told me about their hometowns and families, their willingness to put their lives on the line for all of Europe. What visions of America it stirred. I became a proud citizen of the U.S., and served more than 20 years in the U.S. Army. No one can ever take from me my pride, my memories, my America. You ask what does it mean to me? Everything. T.J. Summers Reflect on the words If you will pause for a moment and recall the heartfelt words of the Pledge of Allegiance or the National Anthem, and not just quote these gems by rote, you will understand that I have a commitment to those great statesmen who forged our existence. You will understand that I have a commitment to those who have given their lives that I may write what I feel in my heart. How many who are alive today like me remember the Second World War days or had a father who fought in the first World War? I remember, and my father was proud to have served. I am proud to be an American. David Boozer True Americans One does not need a particular bloodline to be an American. Yet, he must love this nation and its freedoms. An American will do those things demanded by our elected officials so long as they do not conflict with his sincere religious beliefs. If called to defend this nation, he will do so without fleeing the country. He may disagree with certain decisions, but he will never take to the streets to riot, harass or do harm to people or property. A true American will stand tall and recite the Pledge of Allegiance proudly without concern that people will think he is taking sides. He will proudly display the American flag and will place his hand over his heart or salute as it passes by. Joel Hendon A national family To be an American in this country simply means that one is a citizen of the United States of America — a national family to which loyal devotion is due. John Vanderford Forefathers' dreams To be an American means more than simply living within the U.S. boundaries. Being an American is much more than a flag on your front lawn, a fading bumper sticker, or blindly following the elected leadership. To be an American is to be informed, independent and active in your nation's behalf. To be an American means to live the dreams of our forefathers while creating a present for our children to enjoy. It means accepting diversity that accepts, compliments and encourages our America. Americans believe that while freedom is not the easiest course, it is the only course we will take. John Johnson Loving my country For many, July 4 is just another day at the local mall or a day off of work. For me, July 4 means much more — freedom. We are free to worship our God when we want to. We have privileges that no other country has. We can make choices without being told what to do and when to do it. It means showing love to our country, our flag and our military men and women, whom without their dedication to our country, our freedom would be lost. I am proud to call myself an American. I love this country. Tina Horn A flourishing nation The United States is a participatory democracy. Being a patriotic American means educating ourselves on the issues of the day, talking things over with people in our communities, and voting responsibly. Our fellow citizens, living and long gone, have fought for the principles of freedom, equality, justice and opportunity. It's up to us to see that those principles continue to flourish. Susan Di Biase Our heritages To be American means that we are unique and privileged individuals. We have been born in or sojourned to a wondrous land of beauty and opportunity. Americans' heritages are from everywhere in this world. We believe in whatever we wish to believe, worship in a manner we choose, openly support and vote for whomever we please, purchase fine products from around the world in a free market and participate in a societal environment that recognizes and even celebrates our diversity. As an American, we need not fear our government because it serves us, not the other way around. We need not fear religion because it is us that choose where, when, or even if we attend without fear of reprisal. Many Americans have died or sacrificed for the freedoms that are so coveted by others and thousands have died trying to experience what it is to be an American. We Americans are a strange lot, an unusual homogeneous collection of disparate people who are attracted to a common thesis, freedom. As gravity formed the universe, so does freedom form the meaning of being American. Bob Reaves Americans' teens American citizenship can be equated to foster parents and rebellious teens. Rebellious teens are prone to make horrendous decisions, choose unpleasant friends, waste money and disregard loving advice. Rebellious teens, whether by bad luck or poor choice, make up a huge segment to this society. The question every American must answer is whether they are a foster parent or the rebellious teen. An American is a foster parent seeking a bright future for our young nation. William Noles Cherish our freedoms "From sea to shining sea" is an American idiom meaning from the Pacific Ocean to the Atlantic Ocean. Many songs embrace this term. As Americans, we are blessed to enjoy patriotic music as well as a myriad musical styles. America is a beautiful land with a variety of national monuments and wonders. American farmers, firefighters, physicians, plumbers, pastors and poets all make contributions. Walt Whitman's poem, "I Hear America Singing," notes the singing of a mechanic, carpenter, mason and mother. We all salute the red, white and blue flag as we cherish liberty and freedom. Penny J. Nielsen Doing what is right Being an American means accepting the responsibility to govern, not passing it off to some authority figure or expert who is supposed to "know better." It requires the courage, intelligence and compassion to listen to others, risk being wrong, and trust going at it alone if careful thought and reflective discussion points that way. It means always assuming someone is innocent until proven guilty, never taking innocent lives for revenge or merely to save our own, and always abiding by the rule of law. As one math teacher at Alexandria High School posts in her classroom: "What is popular is not always right, and what is right is not always popular." Scott W. Beckett Americans' opportunities I consider it a privilege and an honor to be an American and to be able to live in the United States. Here, we have the opportunity to receive an education, to prepare us for our future. We can choose from many occupations. We can travel, shop, dance or play any sport. We can go for walks, jogs, bike rides or train rides and feel confident that we will be safe because we have people who care for us and protect us. We can even go to the moon and explore the universe, because God has blessed us with knowledge and wisdom. Barbara T. Wilson |
|
|
