This is a speech I wrote for a Boy Scout Speech competition in 7th grade.
What does it mean to be an American? That is a great question of our day. Let us examine things that we hold sacred to help us define ourselves. Let me start with our beginning and our most cherished statement.
It typifies that indomitable spirit of determination brought to my land by Christopher Columbus and by all my forefathers - the Pilgrims, Puritans, settlers at Jamestown and Plymouth.
It is as old as my nation.
It is our heritage to stand erect, proud, and unafraid.
It is our heritage to think and act for ourselves; to enjoy the benefits of our creations, and face the world boldly and say, "this is what we have done, we have built a nation from scrap and protected it from all threats."
In this declaration we established that America will not cower before any threat, We made our Declaration of Independence! We fought England for our freedom. We have been an example to other countries - for France and its "equality, liberty, fraternity", and for Latin America's revolutions that freed them from Spanish rule.
Next, let me speak about the soul of our nation. The thing that binds us all together in this great nation.
It represents these eternal principles: liberty, justice, and humanity.
It embodies American Freedom: freedom of speech, religion, assembly, the press, and the sanctity of the home.
It is our birthright, our heritage of liberty, purchased with blood and sorrow.
It's voice---Abraham Lincoln's philosophy: "A government of the people, by the people, for the people."
It is your title deed of freedom, which is yours to enjoy and hold in trust for posterity.
If we fail to keep this sacred trust inviolate, if it is nullified and destroyed, you and your children will become slaves to dictators and despots.
It is our nation's law: The Constitution of the United States and the Bill of Rights.
Now we look to our first and foremost symbol.
It stands guard over our nation's schools, the seedbed of good citizenship and pure patriotism.
It is displayed in every schoolroom throughout my nation and thousands upon thousands of boys and girls pledge their allegiance to it and their country every day.
It has its own law- Public Law 829, "the Flag Code"-Which definitely states its correct use and display for all occasions and situations.
It has its special day, Flag Day; June 14 is set to honor its birth.
It is not always respected, it is burned and walked upon by both our citizens and our enemies abroad.
It shelters those who fought for our country in countless grave yards both here and on foreign lands.
It is the sacred emblem of our country. The American Flag is the symbol of our nation. It is adorned with thirteen stripes and fifty stars. The stripes symbolize the thirteen original colonies, the stars, the fifty states. The red stripes proclaim the fearless courage and integrity of American men and boys and the self-sacrifice and devotion of American mothers and daughters. The white stripes stand for liberty and equality for all. The blue is the blue of heaven, loyalty, and faith. Americans, as you see it silhouetted against the peaceful skies of my country, remind yourself that it is the flag of your country. That it stands for what you are- no more, no less.
Eternal vigilance of our ancestors was the price of our freedom.
Today, Americans do not shrink in times of trouble. They face problems and thresats head on. We help poorer countries, and defend smaller ones. we fight for what is right. We are still fighting for freedom by combating world terrorism with help from our first enemy and now most trusted friend, Great Britain.
Today Americans will now trade freedom for benefits, but work to be free. We do not trade our dignity for a handout. we prefer the challenges of life to guarenteed life. Americans seek opportunity not security. We build and take risks,. We work for what we have, and we are free to help each other. We vote for what, who, or anything we want. I believe that America is the land of opportunity, but I believe that we have to use the opportunities our country provides so so that e benefit not only ourelves, but our fellow citizens. That is what being American is all about.
Recent events have demonstrated that eternal vigilance is our price of freedom. Fellow Americans now risk their lives as I speak to defend not only our freedom, but the freedom of all like-minded countries and their citizens.
Guard it well, lest your freedoms perish from the Earth.
Not bad for a 12 year old.
Byron Siwelnor
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