Congratulations to all those who placed in the Americanism
Essay Contest sponsored by the American Legion Auxiliary
Floyd Minch Unit 44.  These essays will continue to the state
level competition.  Great Job!

I'm proud to be an American because I've been in so many
countries that do not have the rights and privileges the United
States has.  Some of these privileges are liberty, justice, and
equal rights.  Every citizen of the United States has these
rights.

First we have the liberty of speech, to speak freely about any
issue.  We also have the liberty of religion, which gives us the
choice of faith.  Bearing arms is a right, so that we can defend
ourselves.  We also have the right to vote, so that we can
choose our leaders.

Next, we have justice.  When one is put on trial, one is
innocent until proven guilty.  In some countries one is guilty
until proven innocent.  We also have trial by jury.  Once they
decide when you are guilty or not, one can not take that person
back to court for the same crime.  It would be Double
Jeopardy.  We also have a right to defend ourselves in trial.

Lastly, we have equal rights.  Women have the right to vote.
People of different races are supposed to be treated fairly.  This
also pertains to those who are handicapped.

These are some of the rights and privileges we have.  Every
citizen should be proud to have these rights.  That is why I am
proud to be an American.

I've asked myself this question plenty of times. What kind of an
American am I when I can stand by watching a neighbor beat
his wife and kids, yet say nothing? I'm failing them as my
neighbors and brothers. What kind of American does it make
me when I hear my friend bear false witness in the court of law,
yet say nothing? I'm breaking a commandment and failing my
friend.

I'd like to say that I'm an American citizen that upholds every
law, every commandment, follow my country's constitution to a
T, but again, I would be failing, letting my country down by
lying.

Because like every other human I make mistakes, big or small
they all measure up the same.

So what could make me a great American? It starts with one
person and moves to the next; everyone must make an effort
for anything to change. We need God put back into the
schools, court rooms and congress.

The foundation of our country was built on the truth and the
word of God, and you cannot move away from that without
destroying the nation.

We need honesty, and love for our neighbors, a willingness to
help those out who are less fortunate. America is known as the
land of the free. Where are our wars on drugs, guns, and
alcohol getting us? It's not a war on those things, it's a war on
personal freedom. Laws trying to stop these things won't,
because our penalty for wrong in America is nothing.

So what kind of American am I? I'm an American with a goal in
mind to change, starting with me and moving on to the next
person, and the next... and hopefully one day our country will
be like it once was intended to be, and with God as our father
may He let it happen.