Patriotic Essays

Nicholas Lomax (no photo) was the overall winner of our annual 2009 Patriotic Essay Contest. Nicholas currently attends seventh grade at North Dorchester Middle School. Pictured above are Essay Chairman Liz Tyler, sixth grade winner Thomas Tyler, eight grade winner Thomas Gebert, and President Tom Miller. All winners receive U.S. Savings Bonds.

What Freedom Means to Me as a Young American

By Nicholas Lomax

Freedom means that I have choices. I am able to make my own decisions about my life. I can do anything as long as I don't break the law or intrude on someone else's freedom. The United States was formed because the colonists wanted freedom. The Bill of Rights lists and protects many of our freedoms.

In the United States, I have freedom of speech so I can say how I feel without being punished. I have freedom of religion to practice my family's beliefs. In the United States if something happens it is reported through the news instead of hidden from the public. I am also lucky because I can get a good education and also pick my career. Some countries tell you when to stop school and what job you will do but I can choose. I can continue to grow and learn for my entire life without being forced to be what someone else feels I should be.

I also have economic freedoms in the United States. If I work hard and make good investments, I can have a good standard of living. I often hear about people in other countries that work very hard but still can not make much money. In the United States, hard work, education and good decisions about my money will lead me to financial success.

I am not old enough to vote but I understand that being able to select who runs our country is a freedom. Every citizen of the United States over the age of 18 is given the freedom to voice their opinion about who makes their laws and runs this country. I hear a lot of adults say that they don't vote because their one vote doesn't matter. I think it would matter to them if they lost that freedom and a leader was forced on them.

Freedom is not a right but a privilege. I am aware that I have opportunities that people from other countries do not have. Freedom must be respected. Many people died so that our country would be free. We must honor the soldiers that fought for out freedoms in the past. We must respect the soldiers that fight for freedom today. Everyone can protect out freedom by voting and participating in our government. We must value our freedom so we won't lose it.