By Daniel Uchendu
Teague Park School, Grade 5
There are many things that America means to me. But there are three main things it means to me. One is freedom. Another thing is the wars we fought and the soldiers who fought in them. Finally, it means strength.
America means freedom because we are not slaves to anybody. It means freedom because of the rights we have listed in the Constitution. In the 1st Amendment it says that we have freedom of: speech, religion and press. Freedom of press means we are allowed to get involved with politics and government issues. It means wars and soldiers because we have fought many wars. We have fought: The Revolutionary Way to declare independence from Great Britain, The Civil Way over slavery, and both World Wars to help other countries. Many people became soldiers fighting these wars for our freedom. They risked their lives for our freedom knowing that they might never ever again see their families. That is why we should honor them by Pledging Allegiance to the American Flag. It also means strength because we have gone through many troubling times. We have lost many people in wars, there having been many depressions and downfalls in the economy. For example, we owe China a lot of money. There have been many terrorist attacks. One example of an attack was the Boston Marathon Bombing where two Russian math geniuses planted a bomb at the finish line of a marathon. Many countries are plotting to destroy us. North Korea, for example is planning on launching a nuclear missile at us. But we have survived through these tough times. Those are the three things America means to me. It means freedom because of the rights of freedom we have. We have freedom of: speech, religion and press. It means wars and soldiers because of the numerous wars we fought and the soldiers who risked their lives to fight in them. Finally, it means strength because of all the tough times that we’ve been through. That is what America means to me.
By Diego Mendle-Flurry
Teague Park School, Grade 5
Freedom. America means freedom and liberty to me. We can follow our own religion. We have freedom of speech. We all have the right to do almost anything. We can go to church without being shot dead. We have the right to go to school, without being shot dead.
America means technology to me. We have extremely advanced technology to help doctors all across the world. We have it to help the army fight through wars and to protect us. America means sports to me. America has some awesome competitors. Presidents are important because we are not ruled by dictators. Yet, I personally don’t agree with Obama’s health care plan. Honestly, I think it is ridiculous.
America means laws to me. Without laws, America would have freaks running all over the place. We are also able to have as many children as we want, we don’t have to have only two. We have friendships with almost every continent.
We have suffrage. Suffrage is the right to vote. Now both men and women have the right to vote. The first state to allow suffrage towards women was Wyoming. That is the reason it is called the Equality State.
We all have memories. Memories of the most amazing presidents. Mount Rushmore shows the best of the best. Abe Lincoln, George Washington, Thomas Jefferson and Theodore Roosevelt. One of the biggest things that means to me is peace. We have peace all throughout our country. And that is what America means to me.
By Cory Herbert
Teague Park School, Grade 5
What America means to me is two things freedom and joy ‘cause I get to believe in God if I want and I can go to school and not look up to a dictator. I can listen to what music I want. I can read the books I want and know no one owns me.
I know that the Marines, Air Force, Navy and Army are fighting for our country to protect us and die for us. I thank them ‘cause both of my grandfathers, my Bobo McNeal and Grampy Herbert. But now my Grampy is dead so I don’t really know any stories about him anyway. When I see an Eagle I think of America because it is our country bird.
We also have famous landmarks like Mt. Rushmore with our famous presidents. And the Vietnam War wall with all the soldiers that died for us. And the Abraham Lincoln monument ‘cause he stopped slavery. Like I said, no one owns anyone. And the White house and we have the 1st black president and another famous landmark the Grand Canyon. I can’t believe what it was like to go on an auction block and someone buy my mom and dad, then my brother, then my sister then me. And go work in the field and get whipped if I don’t work.
And also what else America means to me is bravery. And if you are not brave they’re going to scare you so they had to be brave. You can never be scared. Also peace on Earth ‘cause there isn’t so much war and people dying ‘cause of it and we should all just get along and stop war. I don’t think that it is fair because in different countries there is no class structure so they don’t have public schools so they are either home schooled or don’t learn. And that is not good ‘cause they won’t learn so they won’t be able to get a good education to a college. And in America you can go to public or home school, your choice. Now we are letting immigrants into the country but if you go into other countries you could get shot if you don’t listen to your dictator. That’s why I love being in America.
By Trinity Pellice
Teague Park School, Grade 5
What America means to me is that we have freedom. We have the freedom of speech. And that’s because people who had the braveness to fight in war, made freedom for the U.S.A.
I had a Great Grandpa who fought in World War 2. And he left behind a great legacy for my brothers and sisters and I. And that legacy was to stay strong, Love and not War, and Appreciation. And we all follow that. He died when my dad was eight, because he had liver cancer. I didn’t get to see him but my parents told me stories of him and showed me pictures.
And I know that all those soldiers wanted America to have a future. Those soldiers that fought in war had to be brave, thoughtful and wise in order to fight for our country, AMERICA. They had a choice to fight in war or to suffer…they chose war, that is the confidence that they have in themselves. My Mom’s boyfriend served in the ARMY for thirteen years. Ten of those years were in Iraq. The other three were in Vietnam. He had to travel across the Pacific Ocean to get to Iraq and Vietnam.
The FLAG. The AMERICAN Flag, means everything to me. The RED represents the Blood of the soldiers. The WHITE represents Surrender. And the BLUE represents the Ocean and the Water. Lady Liberty is another thing that represents our country. But the FLAG represents the whole country…AMERICA. And that’s what America means to me.
By Abby St. Peter
Teague Park School, Grade 5
America to me is freedom and independence. Fourth of July is called Independence Day to celebrate the day of our freedom and our rights. In America you can do mostly what you want and say what you want. Don’t be a slave, be you. Our soldiers have been fighting for our country for years, they would sacrifice their lives for ours. Without America, where would we all live? Yes, we could live in Europe or Mexico or even Africa but it wouldn’t be the same without America.
America is also a place filled with love, trust, hope and dreams, it’s where all of your dreams can come true. Saudi Arabia is the only country in the world that forbids a woman from driving and here you can drive at age 16. Also in Saudi Arabia women are soon going to be able to vote in 2015. Here a woman can vote at age 18 same as men. America is also special to me because my mom’s boyfriend, Kirk, has been in the military for 24 years and is serving his two tours, 1 in Iraq and the second one he is in Afghanistan. I have a bigger respect for the military now than before my mom and Kirk were together.
My two grandfathers and my aunt have been in the military and one of them served in Saudi Arabia. Three of my great-grandfathers served in the World War 2 and one of them is still alive. He is 92 years old and still driving! Also my uncle served two tours in Saudi Arabia. In total of years that my family served is 74 years! I am so happy to be an American and that’s what America means to me.
By Carter Belanger
Teague Park School, Grade 5
What America means to me are these four words. Freedom, appreciation, equality and beauty. Freedom, because what soldiers have done to give us what we have today. The freedom of speech and freedom of religion. If they hadn’t fought war for our rights, well…that’s a world I wouldn’t want to live in.
Then there’s appreciation when you say stuff like, “I hate this,” or, “I want that,” you’re being greedy. “Appreciate what you have before it turns into what you had.” Try to always live life to the fullest. Appreciate what those soldiers brave did to get you your rights.
Equality. This one is my favorite because no one is better than someone else. For example, Susan B. Anthony. Men only being allowed to vote made her mad. What did they have that women didn’t? Because of her, women are now allowed to vote across the country. Nobody should be considered better just because of name brand clothes or super expensive stuff. There’s an old saying, “Never judge a book by its cover.” The guy with name brand clothes could be real mean, meanwhile the guy with rugged clothes could be the nicest person in the world.
Last, beauty, you may have seen some pretty cool stuff in your lifetime but when you think about it have you ever witnessed America’s true beauty? There are tons of AMAZING landmarks in America like Mount Rushmore representing four of our country’s most honorable presidents and the Grand Canyon, one of America’s natural beauties.
And forever we will stand, that is what America means to me.
By Liam Martin
Teague Park School, Grade 5
America means a lot to me, I was born here and lived here all my life and will live here for years to come. Our nation has been through a lot and still has many challenges to face. Our army has helped us through those tough challenges since the 13 colonies.
My pépère Martin served in the Navy in World War 2 back in 1943. I feel that he is a hero to America and always will feel that way about him. He died a long time ago but I still think about him a lot. I never got to see my pépère in person but he is in various photos of my family.
I had another pépère who also served in the U.S. Military in 1943. He was a medic in World War 2. He was very young when he went to war; he was only 21 years old. He is very brave to go to war that young which makes him a hero as well. He died in 2010. I miss him a lot. I try to picture what they went through in the war but I never can. Probably because I never felt the true fear that they did or saw what they saw. I want to fight someday, but that’s a long time away.
Both my pépères loved their country and would give their lives for it as long as they knew America was safe. They fought so kids like me would have a better future and would not have to worry about Nazis taking them away from their families. That’s why they fought, so families could stay together and Jewish people’s lives would be happier. That’s why they’re heroes, they would never see their country die without a fight. They fought for millions of people so they could have better lives. But they were not the only people who fought to keep America safe. Thousands of soldiers gave their lives for this country, they are real heroes. They are my heroes, all of them are.
I love America and pledge to it every morning. And will do that for the rest of my life. So America means to me freedom, justice and all the solders that fought and died for this country. So I thank all the soldiers who have died for my country.
That’s what America means to me.
By Edie Shea
Teague Park, Grade 5
AMERICA is so beautiful. AMERICA means FREEDOM. FREEDOM as in, no soldiers on every corner of every street, no ruler giving us orders every second. Our ARMY fought for our country. They literally gave up their lives. I wish I could thank every one of them. The VETERANS are the best and I love that we’re writing this for them. My Grampy was in the Army. His name is Henry Marshall. He is still alive, thankfully.
AMERICA has PRIDE and LIBERTY. We are allowed to have different religions. We have our own PLEDGE, most people take it for granted, but that’s incredible! We have God and Jesus watching over us helping us in rough and tough times. We have our first black president ever. Women have a right to vote. The flag, the red stands for blood of the soldiers who have passed on, the white stands for the VETERANS who are still ALIVE. Last but not least, the stars, the stars mean simply AMERICA!
There is a song for AMERICA! It’s my favorite AMERICAN song, the National Anthem. It is so beautiful just like AMERICA. The states are what make up AMERICA. All the states have their own flower, tree and state bird. For instance, ours is: state bird, chickadee; state flower, pine cone; and state tree, pine tree. That is what AMERICA means TO ME!
Editor’s Note: This essay won first place in the “What America Means to Me” contest sponsored by the VFW Ladies Auxiliary of Post 9389 in Caribou.
