The Patriot’s Pen

The Patriot’s Pen is an essay contest given by the Veterans of Foreign Wars.

This year, the students had to write about what patriotism means to them. Every year, Asbury Park Middle School students participate in this essay contest. Their essays are well written and stress the ideas of what patriotism means to them.

The following are some of the students’ essays from Mr. Wronko’s
social studies class.

What Patriotism means to me.

When I hear “Patriotism,” I think of the people who are serving in the army. For me this makes me a proud patriot to know that I am protected by these men and women. I also think it’s not fair that in different countries you cannot do what you want to do. However, in America you have the freedom to enjoy everything that life has to offer. In addition, our country is rich with the history of freedom. For instance, Harriet Tubman helped slaves escape to freedom during the Underground Railroad operation. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. told the world he had a dream. His dream was to ensure that everyone was
equal regardless of their skin color. Today in 2013 everyone is equally protected under the law.

Besides freedom, we show our gratitude to the United States by saying the Pledge of Allegiance every morning in school. In addition, people show their patriotism for the country by joining the army and navy to protect our rights as citizens. People have aunts, uncles, brothers, sisters in the military serving our country. Because of this everyone including myself is united together.

In closing, I am a proud patriot because of our men and women in the military, our rights they protect, and our overall freedom. With our freedom I feel patriotic, I have food, clothes, jewelry, shoes, cellphones, electronic devises, and I can shop. In addition, more importantly with this freedom everyone can do we they want. For example, President Barack Obama had the liberty to run for president regardless of his race and now he is not only the 44th president but our first black president. Also women have the opportunity to run for
political office. Hillary Clinton came close to becoming the democratic nominee. However, she did achieve new heights for women because she became the Secretary of State. We just need to remember that this freedom is achieved because of the men and women who fight for this country. Therefore, this is what I feel patriotism is all about and thus, I am a proud patriot.
By Shyri Lewis

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