Gabrielle Furr was the overall winner of our annual 2010
Patriotic Essay Contest. Gabrielle currently attends seventh grade at North Dorchester
Middle School. All winners receive U.S. Savings Bonds.
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What Freedom Means to Me as a Young American
By Gabrielle Furr
Freedom means no slavery. Freedom means having the right to practice
your choice of religion. Freedom means being able to speak your mind. It
is the right to protest, to have your own opinions, and to be able to do
what you want when you want. Freedom means having a choice of what to do
with your life, and your future.
I think young Americans take their freedom for granted. They don't
stop and think about how many people fought for it and how many people lost
their lives so we can be free. We have so many rights and opportunities we
should be grateful for what we have. Look at other countries, and how much
more we have then some of the less fortunate countries. I think we should
take a step back and thank those who have given us these blessings. We should
be so grateful that we can do whatever we want with our lives. We don't have
to be a slave until death. We don't have an owner, or a dictator. We have
rights, and chances that can change our lives. Not everybody has those opportunities.
We should count our blessings, and think about somebody other than ourselves.
People who fought for our freedoms have given us so much, and asked for nothing
in return. These people are our country's heroes, and they should be given respect,
whether alive or dead. On Veteran's Day, there should be a moment of silence at every
public place, and even at home.
Freedom has changed the lives of millions. It has given us a better way
of life. It has given us so much to be grateful for. It is a blessing and
I think everyone should be able to look at it that way. It is a shame that not
everyone understands the depth in freedom. I am so grateful that we have
freedom in life. I could not imagine it any other way. I pity those who have not
had the chance to experience life this way. It is a truly amazing thing. Freedom to
me as a young American is simply choice.
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