Veterans Essays
Soda Springs
“Is America Today Our Forefathers’ Voice”
Is America today our forefather’s vision? Our forefathers envisioned an America they could be proud of. Out founding fathers were brave men that saw something that needed to be changed and they did something about it. They met secretly and finally on August 2nd, 1776 they met and signed the declaration. Our Declaration of Independence is the world’s longest surviving written charter of government. It is amazing to think that these men met, argued, planned, wrote and rewrote a document over and over to give us this longest surviving charter, and to give us this foundation that we have been building on for almost 250 years.
So when asked “would our Founding Father be proud” I would shout from the rooftops a resounding YES. America is great and the Founding Fathers would be proud of the foundation they gave us 248 years ago. Is America perfect? No, but it has a firm foundation under it.
Jonathan Dayton is a name not as familiar or famous as George Washington or Benjamin Franklin, but he was the youngest signer of the Constitution. He is one of the reasons that I would say that the Founding Fathers would not only be proud, but would be amazed at the greatness they sparked.
Jonathan Dayton didn’t agree with some of the parts of the Constitution. He voiced these concerns openly. This is why America is still great. He voiced his concerns and listened to the concerns of others. Even though he didn’t agree on all things in the Constitution, he stood and signed with 39 of his fellow delegates. Sixteen of the delegates did not sign because they disagreed with parts. How does Jonathan stand apart from these 16 other men? One main reason was that even though parts of the Constitution were not what he wanted them to be or what he thought was best he accepted that the document as a whole was for the best for the people then and in the future. We are that future we can and should still voice concerns openly. We can debate, argue, and discuss issues. That’s what America was. That is what America still is today!
Like a teenager telling a story to their father, we as a country may have parts of our tale that we may be ashamed of if we were to give a report to President Washington for example. We have been divided when we should have been united at times. We have fought among ourselves. But we also have moments of extreme compassion towards each other. We have come together at times of natural disaster and of moments of terrorist attacks. We have proven time and time again that the foundation that our fathers have set up can and will remain standing firm as a beacon of freedom.
So I stand proud, honored, and in awe of the 39 men that put their personal ideas aside and signed for the best of who we are and who we are becoming.
Remington Call
Soda Springs
My Voice in America’s Democracy
Can you imagine a world where you had no choice on religion, no voice, and no choice of who represents you? An example of this is in Robin Hood, where the evil monarchy is in control and the people have no voice about who their king or sheriff is. Even in our modern world, this is still occurring, like in China, Iran and Russia. However, we are lucky to live in the United States where we are free; government power is centered around the collective individual voice.
Each generation in my family line has shown me examples of using their voice in our United States democracy by choosing their careers, their religion, voicing their opinions, and voting in local, state, and national elections. This means that my great-great-grandfather was free to express his voice by going on a religious mission. Similarly, my great-grandfather was free to express his voice by serving our country in World War II.
What does this mean for me? What does my voice mean in democracy? Even though I can’t vote yet, my voice is still important. I am free to voice my opinions or help make change peacefully. I can write to and meet with local, state, and national leaders. I can organize or participate in events that enact change. On a local level, I have already exercised my voice in democracy. I have participated in our yearly elementary school Fun Run helping to raise money for our school. I asked for donations and advocated our school’s needs. In 5th grade, I signed a petition for longer lunch times, so all kids had enough time to eat; even though change wasn’t made, the issue was considered, and I was free to voice my opinion. There is hope for me now and later as an adult because my freedom to have a voice has been fought for.
My voice in United States democracy matters because Americans have sacrificed, so that I, my friends, my family, and each American citizen has the right of free speech. From small acts to large endeavors, all American citizens can enact change across the United States by voting and participating in democracy. I am free to write and express my opinions, as long as they don’t take away another’s constitutional right. My voice in democracy is a freedom, but it’s also my obligation.
Josie Fox
Grace
Is America Today our Forefathers’ Vision?
Our forefathers had an amazing vision for America. They had many dreams and goals for our country, but today I want to focus on only four of them. First, our forefathers wanted to create a fair and just government. Next, they wanted to have good protection for the land and the people. Third, they wanted us to respect all the hard work that people have done for this country. Finally, they wanted all people to have their own freedoms. I feel that these four goals were and still are very important and key factors for America’s survival.
When our forefathers created the government it was an experiment. They didn’t know if it was going to work or not, but they wanted it to be fair. To do this, they created the system of checks and balances. The system of checks and balances is a type of government and there are three branches of government to it. This system of checks and balances is a good idea and one branch can’t get too powerful because all three branches even each other out. Even though this innovative thinking and government plan was new, the Founding Fathers wanted to try it. The United States of America still uses this form of government today. It was a very smart idea and has lasted through many hardships in this country.
It is natural for people to be protective of what they have, and also for them to want to be protected. That is why when the forefathers were creating the United States of America, they wanted a brave and strong military to protect the land and the people. We are a large country; fortunately, we have vast resources to protect. Therefore, we have a great military that the Founding Fathers would be proud of. No doubt the veterans are strong, brave, and hardworking. They do so much for our country and it means so much to me that they are willing to fight for what we have.
We owe them for our protection in so many ways and I am so thankful for all that the veterans have done for me.
Respect is so very important. I try my best to respect everything that I have. Many people have fought, sacrificed, and died for us and our country. It is vital that we remember and honor those brave and selfless people who contributed to our freedom in lots of different ways. One of the ways we show our appreciation is by showing respect to our veterans and to the American flag. During the Civil War, the American flag was a symbol of the fight, our values, and what we were fighting for. Now the American flag is a symbol of who we are and how we have gotten here, as well as a way to honor our Founding Fathers and those who have fought for our freedoms on and off the battlefields. We show respect to the flag by putting our hands over our hearts and removing cover. When the flag is out, we aren’t loud and fidgety. Instead, we are quiet and respectful. Whenever I see the American flag waving, I feel so grateful and proud to live in this amazing country.
In history I have learned that our ancestors came to America with the hope for freedom. When the Founding Fathers were creating the Constitution and the Bill of Rights, they wanted people to have many freedoms. We have laws to protect us and to keep us safe, but we have so many more freedoms. We have the freedom of speech, religion, action, and dress. We also have many more as well. I am grateful for all the freedoms that I have and I use them every day.
I think America is a great country and I am very grateful for all the hard work that our forefathers did to make it so great. I think in many ways they would be proud of what has become of this country. These four topics are important to me and hopefully to others as well. They are only a part of what makes this great country, but they are still really important. I hope that we can always keep a good and fair government, and a brave military to protect us. I want to always remember the freedoms that I have and to show respect for them. I am so glad I live in this amazing country and for the people that I live around. Though not perfect, I believe that today is what our forefathers envisioned for this country in many ways. I hope the United States of American, the country that I love, will always stay well-balanced and most importantly home of the free and land of the brave.
Brigham Mickelson
Grace
My Voice in America’s Democracy
America’s democracy is important and even though I am only 13, I can share my thoughts and be involved in my school and community. I love football—in my opinion it is the best American sport. Because I live in a county that gives me individual rights, I can voice my love for football by practicing in it and supporting people that play it.
In a democracy, everyone’s voice matters. This is because all people are given the right to participate in the decision making process of a democratic government system. If I compare a football team to America’s democracy it helps me to understand how a democracy works. On a football team each player has a position to play, but in order for the team to be successful the players have to know what their role is, listen to the coach, and work together. As a citizen of the United States I have a role to play, I need to respectfully listen to other people’s opinions, and by working together a successful team and society are created.
Understanding my role whether I’m on a football team or as a citizen of the United States of America is important, everyone needs to know what they want in life. Opinions are shaped by experiences and beliefs. My opinion that football is the best American sport comes from my personal experience of playing and watching football. My opinion on my rights, liberty and freedoms comes from the things that I’ve experienced in life or that I’ve seen others experience in life. My voice can be heard when I talk with teammates, cheer on players, or choose a team to be my personal favorite. My voice contributes to America when I respect other people, share my opinions, support my school and participate in the community. Then one day in the future I will also be able to vote.
When everyone plays their part and supports one another we can have success. I can share my opinions, give my support to my school, and get involved with my community to make a difference. I think that if people will wisely speak up and respectfully listen to each other, everyone’s voice can be heard to make life better for everyone.
