OSMOND — Winners in the American Legion Auxiliary essay contest were named during the Auxiliary’s March 17 meeting. Their essays are being printed here as space permits. The following is from the first-place winner in seventh and eighth grades — Kendra Gardner.
What Does ‘America The Beautiful’ Mean to Me (Regarding Veterans and Our Military)?
America is a beautiful country with rolling prairies and majestic mountains. But what truly makes America beautiful is our freedom. The song “America The Beautiful” explains that freedom and dignity. Respect for these men and women that have served our country is the least we can show them. The great strength they gave to make our country as beautiful as it is today should be recognized each and every day.
Another person that should be thanked and honored is God. God gave the men and women the devotion to go fight, defend and win rights for our country. They are willing to risk their lives for what we have earned. They had to leave everything, including their families and their friends. They had to go to unfamiliar places they had never been to before to fight for their lives and our country. A verse from the song, “Confirm thy soul in self-control, Thy liberty in law!” means that we have had brave people from our country that have sacrificed everything for freedom. Our laws should reflect our freedoms and rights.
In the song, “America The Beautiful,” it is talked about how the United States is so miraculous and astonishing. It expresses that here we have beautiful and breathtaking landmarks along with liberty in law! God is also recognized in many different ways, and we should appreciate that, because He gave us this wonderful country.
As we know, God made the country flawless, but our veterans and military made our country free and splendid. The men and women that went to war, absolutely terrified, understanding they could have been killed, sacrificed their all so that we could have the beautiful life that “America The Beautiful” describes.
In the last phrase of the song, it says, “That sees beyond the years.” These words stuck out to me because it says we will have this freedom and satisfaction in the future, and because I know in those many years we will have more men and women brave enough to fight just like we have today.
In conclusion, this song, “America The Beautiful,” means so much to me and my family, classmates, friends and community members because we know that these privileges, the rights we have today, came from fights and wars we have overtaken. — Kendra Gardner
