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

What Patriotism means to me.

To me patriotism means freedom. For instance, I think of freedom because in some countries the father chooses who the daughter marries. However, in America we choose who we want to marry. Also in other countries they tell you how to live, what to eat, what to wear and who to love. In the United States, you choose how you live, you eat what you want to eat, you wear what you want to wear, and you love who you choose to love. If our country has all this freedom, maybe some countries should have the same freedom.

I think that many governments in the world should allow their people to have freedom. If they had our rights, it would be a better world. For example the ladies in Iraq have to cover up their body. The only two things they can show are their hands and their eyes, and that’s it. I feel bad because these women are getting hit and abused, just like the women in Afghanistan. The only difference is the ladies in Afghanistan have to cover their whole entire body. You are probably thinking how do they see and how do they wash their hands. In America women are treated with respect. They can run for president, become a president of their own company, and do what they please.

In the Middle East, when women can only see through veils and they have to cover their hands with gloves shows the rest of the world why our freedom is important in America. Everyone in the world should be allowed to live how they want to live. These women in the Middle East have struggled for over a decade to get the rights they want. In closing, I am proud to have my rights, do what I want, and have the opportunities to improve my life. This is what patriotism is about.
By Ketrane Charles

What Patriotism means to me.
I am a proud patriot because of our civil rights leaders from the past. One of those leaders I admire very much is Rosa Parks. She fought for her rights and others. She knew that what was happening was not right. I want to be like her. I want to make a difference. Rosa Parks was a very strong leader. She went to jail but she did not care because she was fighting for her right to sit where ever she wanted.

She believed that segregation was not right and I believe the same exact thing. If Rosa Parks and the other leaders like Martin Luther King Jr. did not do what they had to there probably would be segregation and other laws that would keep black and whites apart. Things have changed since then. There is no more segregation. There are no laws keeping blacks and whites apart anymore. Everyone is equal. Anyone can run for president. No one is being treated
differently of their skin color anymore. We all can do what we want. Woman in this country can run for president. They can be C. E. O for companies.

Another thing that has changed is people can marry who they want. We are allowed to choose our partners. Before we could not pick our partners and now people are happily married with whoever they choose. Before these laws were made people were not very happy because they could not marry who they wanted. Now that the laws have changed everything is much better and the people are better too. The people are not only better because of their marriages but people are not being judged for who they marry and for what they are doing. Back during segregation people were judged and got in trouble for how they felt. They could go to jail for not moving their seat. They could go to jail if they were black and went somewhere where only white people were allowed.

Knowing how black people were being treated back then just breaks my heart because that could have been me if I lived in that time. I’m happy that people like me are able to sit where they want. They are able to go and eat where they want without getting in trouble for it and going to jail. Now we do not have signs that say blacks only or whites only. We all use the same stores and same water fountains. All those things are why I am a proud patriot. I love my country and I am very happy things have changed since then and things are very different. I’m a proud patriot.
By Deyonna Carter

What Patriotism means to me. 

I am proud to be an American because in other countries children have to be in war and in other countries children have to worry about getting shot on their way to school. In other countries you cannot have a cellphone, computer, and access to the internet. This is why I am proud to be an American because we are guaranteed our freedom. We can show many ways of patriotism. For example, we pledge to the American flag, join the army when we become of age, owning American flags, and having images of eagles throughout your house. Because of our freedom, this is why we do those things. However, in some countries the government tells you what to do and you have to do it. In other countries you have to get married to people you do not know. Here in the United States you have the freedom to do what you want and marry who you want.

I am proud to be an American because of the brave men and women who are fighting over seas to protect our country. For instance, if you think war is over your wrong because there is a war going on right now between the United States and the terrorists located in Afghanistan. We should never forget those people who are fighting for our country. In addition, we should never forget those people who fought for the United States in the past to make sure that our country is free today.

For example, the men that stormed the beach of Normandy in World War II to the men that fought off the communists in both the Korean and Vietnam War. For the men and women who served, this makes me to be a proud patriot. Furthermore, I believe that if Martin Luther King Jr. did not speak what he believed, then all races would not be getting along. Today everyone is equal and a proud American. That is why I am proud to be an American and live in America where I know I am free.
By Anthony Hicks

What Patriotism means to me.
Patriotism to me means that I am a proud patriot who is living in the greatest country of the world, the United States of America. I am a patriot of my country because I will fight for my country and do anything that my country asks. For instance, John F. Kennedy said “Do not ask what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country.” This quote is very true and I would be willing to honor that statement. Furthermore, a lot from the past has changed America for the better and that is also why I am a proud patriot. Throughout my essay I would like to discuss the topics that developed me into a proud patriot such as the end of slavery, Jackie Robinson, Rosa Parks, Martin Luther King, Jr. and his involvement with the Civil Rights Movement, and the end of segregation. Slavery in the past helped me because it taught me not to confront or harm someone because of their race and the color of their skin. Also slavery taught me that no human being should live a life of servitude.

When Abraham Lincoln succeeded in convincing the passage of the 13th Amendment to end slavery, this was a great time in the United States because the path for everyone to be equal had finally begun. This is one of the many reasons I am a proud patriot. Besides the end to slavery, Jackie Robinson being the first African American to play Major League Baseball is another reason why I am a proud patriot. Jackie Robinson taught me that I can do anything as long as I use my mind. Jackie Robinson also taught me to never give up. In addition, Jackie Robinson in my opinion helped the path to our first black president being elected, Barrack Obama. Barrack Obama is our 44th president.

Another inspiration for me being a true patriot is Rosa Parks. Rosa Parks in a way taught me to never give up. But it’s because she never gave her seat up on the bus. Because of this she got locked up. As a result, people protested and started a bus boycott. The bus boycott made the bus company of Alabama run out of business temporarily until segregation ended. Believing in her rights makes me believe in my rights that I have today.

Finally, Martin Luther King Jr. and his involvement with the Civil Rights Movement is another reason why I am a proud patriot. Martin Luther King Jr and the Civil Rights Movement taught me that I should always fight for what is right. For instance, Martin Luther King Junior and the Civil Rights Movement called an end to segregation and for everyone to be equal. This movement was very successful because today we are all equal, we are all protected under the law, and we are all united in supporting the men and women who are overseas fighting for our country.

In closing, the majority of this paper involves blacks in history that were true patriots who believed in their cause, Jackie Robinson, Rosa Parks, and Martin Luther King Jr. Because they were patriots who believed in their cause to make America great, this makes me into a proud American citizen. Thus, a true a loyal patriot to the United States of America.
By: Michael Witherspoon Junior

What Patriotism means to me.
To me Patriotism means freedom. I think of freedom because in some countries the father chooses who the daughter marries. However, in America we choose who we want to marry. Also in other countries they tell you how to live, what to eat, and what to wear. This is not the case in the United States because we have the freedom to decide how to live, what to eat, and what we want to wear. I think that many foreign governments should promote the idea of freedom in their countries. If these foreign countries have our rights of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness, it would be a better world. For example, women in Iraq have to cover up their body. The only thing they can show are their hands. I feel bad because these women are abused just like women in Afghanistan. In both countries women have basically no rights at all. For instance, if a woman tries to run for a political office in the Middle East, that individual is looked upon as being a joke.

In America women have the freedom to wear what they want, have a job, and run for political office. For instance, in America if a woman wants to dress the way she wants she is allowed to do so. In addition, women can go to college and get educated and pursue any career she chooses. Back in the beginning of the country women were not allowed to vote, and own property. Now women can vote and own property without any questions asked. Besides owning property and being allowed to vote, women can run for political office. For instance, Hillary Clinton is a great inspiration to women because she became the Secretary of State and could still become the United States’ first women president. In closing, because of this freedom that is alive and well in the United States, this makes me a proud patriot. Therefore, patriotism means freedom.
BY: KIARRA CARPENTER

What Patriotism means to me.
Patriotism means to me is that I am proud to be an American. Why am I proud to be an American? Well let me tell you why I am proud to be an American. I am proud to be an American because we can get more opportunities and more done than other countries. Today, people in other countries do not get treated correctly as they should. Some do not get to live in proper homes. Some do not even eat. Children in the United States of America go to school and kids in other countries have to work. Those kids do not go to school and get paid next to nothing every day. In America we have many opportunities to succeed and decide on the career we want to have. Thus, we all have the opportunity to make good salaries. I am also proud to be an American because in America everyone is equal. However, it did take a while before everyone was considered equal. For instance, back in the 1950s and 60s people were treated different because of their race. Blacks got the old, dirty, and used things when the whites got new, improved things. Blacks could not work in the same places as whites or eat in the same restaurants. They also lived on different sides of town. They drank at different water fountains too. But that all changed when Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. led his Civil Rights Movement to end all racism.

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was a man that wanted to change the world. He did not want racism to continue. He wanted whites to get along with blacks and blacks to get along with whites. Because of his efforts, Martin Luther King Jr. led the path for everyone to be equal. Today, people celebrate his efforts and thank him for helping to create a better society. I am proud to be an American not only because everyone is equal but also because of people like Martin King Jr. who made it possible for everyone to be equal. Besides Martin Luther King Jr. I am proud to be an American because of the men and women who are protecting our country by fighting terrorists overseas. These men and women help protect our citizens from any form of terrorist attacks. They risk their lives for us and for that I am very grateful.

Finally, I am proud to be an American because women in this country have the opportunity to succeed. For example, in some countries women cannot wear normal clothes and are forced to wear black veils and are not allowed to go anywhere without it on. If they did not have their veils on they will be abused or in extreme cases, be killed. In our country women are not treated that way. They are treated with dignity and respect. Women are allowed to vote and run for political office like Hillary Clinton. Women in other countries do not get the
opportunities we get or much of the happiness we have. That is why I am happy to be an American.
By Diamond Wabst

What does Patriotism mean to me?
Being a part of this country means a lot to me. I am able to be with my family and be with my friends. In a lot of other countries children cannot be with their families. In addition, in other countries there are certain things you cannot have or be allowed to do. Many of these people suffer from poverty, they do not have homes to live in, and do not have food or clothes. However, the United States has programs to help these countries in which people can donate clothes and canned food. This is why I am proud to be an American because I have my family, freedom, and can be a part of a team, the United States, that helps other countries in need. That is one of the reasons why patriotism is important to me.
Besides my family, freedom, and being a part of a team, patriotism also means the brave men and women who are fighting to keep this country safe. For instance, the man responsible for the 2001 attacks on the World Trade Center, Osama Bin Laden, has been caught and killed by Navy Seal Six. This team has protected our freedom and eliminated one of the most dangerous individuals of our time. Thus, making our country safe so that everyone can enjoy the privileges of freedom.

Because of the brave serving our country, this will always be a constant reminder of why I feel patriotism is important to me. Patriotism is also important to me because anyone regardless of race, sex, and religion could become president of the United States. For example, Hilary Clinton almost became our first women president.

However, she lost to our future first black president Barack Obama in
the democratic primaries. President Barack Obama is a very important
part of why patriotism is important to me because he is the first black president we ever had. If there were no equal rights then he would not have become the president.

Another reason why patriotism is important to me because everyone has the freedom to use their talents to help society. For example, many people in this country die from horrible diseases. However, those diseases are being treated by talented individuals who were allowed to go to college and become educated because of freedom. As a result, many people who had incurable diseases are living longer and better lives.

In conclusion, patriotism is important to me because I feel we live in the greatest country ever, the United States of America. Being an American is a great privilege and we are free.
By Cayla Hamm

What does Patriotism mean to me?
What does patriotism mean to me? Patriotism means a lot to me. For instance, patriotism means a lot to me because of the National Anthem. The National Anthem represents freedom, the people who fought and died in wars so we could have freedom, and America’s most precious possession, our flag. In addition to the National Anthem, the Pledge of Allegiance is a pledge students do in school to support the soldiers and the people who died for us and gave us freedom. To me the National Anthem and saying the Pledge of Allegiance are true representations to what Patriotism means. I want to reflect back to one of the representations of patriotism, our National Anthem. One of the many meanings to our National Anthem is freedom. This meaning of freedom also reminds me that patriotism is very important. For instance, our presidents try their very best to make sure that our country remains free. Also our freedom is protected by our soldiers and the Bill of Rights. The soldiers fight wars to protect our Bill of Rights so that we will never live under a dictatorship. Our Bill of Rights reflects why I feel patriotism is very important because we can go anywhere we want without being called names, we can sit where we want on the bus, we can eat our food at any restaurant, and everyone can go to the same school.
Besides our freedom, patriotism means a lot to me because of our first black president. Barack Obama means a lot to me and others because he is not only our first black president but a true representation that all races are equal. All races are equal because of the ongoing support of patriotism. Because of this Obama is doing his very best to make sure that our country is safe and everyone has health benefits.

Finally, patriotism means a lot to me because patriotism has a strong meaning. This meaning consists of our soldiers defending our country, the Bill of Rights, our freedom, and the opportunity for all races to become president. That meaning makes me into a better person.

For example, after Hurricane Sandy, I helped all people regardless of race and religion by donating clothes and supplies to help those that needed it. Because of my positive actions and my beliefs in patriotism, this makes me a proud citizen of the United States of America.
By Zyasia Jones

Over seeing this project was the new Assistant Director of curriculum and Instruction for grades 5-8, Mrs. Zakiya G. Del Orbe. With her support students always try their very best.

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