What Patriotism means to me!

I was recently invited to a 8th Grade awards ceremony. It was held in the hot, loud gymnasium of a middle school in North Carolina. The very first award that was given was for the best essay on What patriotism means to me. The winner received a check for 75 dollars and a pin. The contest was sponsored by the VFW.

I admit that I was more than a little shocked by the award, it was the last thing I was expecting and my opinion of that school went up several notches. What I was more shocked by was the winner. She was a 14 year old girl that had only been told she won an award, not what type or that there was a cash prize. You see the essay was a School assignment given in October of last year, she did her work to the best of her ability and promptly forgot about it.

After the awards were given I wanted to meet the young lady, I found her in the gym and spoke with her and her mother for a few minutes, I gave them my Email and asked if she would send me a copy of her essay. I received it late yesterday and when I read it I was moved. It gave me a hope for the future of our nation.

Below is the essay written by Nikki, last name is withheld because this is the internet and she is 14.

What Does Patriotism Mean To Me???
What does patriotism mean to me? I thank patriotism is love of country and willingness to sacrifice for it. Patriotism is in all our hearts. We may not always know it until the call comes upon us. Patriotism may be a disease, but it is one no man should have any intention of curing. It brings out compassion, courage, work ethics, and bravery in us all. In the Second World War, there was a shortage of workers needed to fulfill the cry for war supplies. Millions of women stepped up to show their love and determination for their country. They worked to fulfill a call that men could not due to war. Patriotism filled their hearts and gave them the bravery to do what was then a man’s work. Patriotism is why America leads the world. Men and women have a deep will to work and succeed. This disease is why Neil Armstrong stepped onto uncertain ground. He wanted to show the world that his nation had accomplished something no other had. He took the leap onto the moon to prove his patriotism.
Patriotism is the zealous love for one’s country. It’s like a disease that every man carries. It spreads from one soul to the next like an unstoppable wildfire. There is no cure for such a disease; for this is one of pure determination and pride.
The definition of patriotism cannot be defined by a dictionary, but by people. From America’s Founding Fathers to today’s courageous men and women of our military serving in Afghanistan, this disease known as patriotism fills our hearts with the will to protect freedom. Patriotism is what gave George Washington the courage to fight the super power of the world and take charge of an unstable colony. Patriotism gave him courage.
That is what Patriotism mean to me!!!!

After Nikki sent me her winning essay she called me.  We spoke for several minutes and I learned more about her.   She is one of five children, She spent several years in foster care until she was adopted about a year and a half ago. According to her father she works hard and gives her best effort at everything.

I asked her if there was anything she would like to add or say to those that read her essay. She asked me to add “Thank you to everyone that fights for our freedom”.

Today is the 4th of July. I think if our founding fathers could read Nikki’s essay  they would say to one another what we did was worth it. 238 years later and the children of our Nation still get it.

Well done Nikki, thanks for giving the older generation Hope.

Category: Politics