What America Means To Me

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Pages: 6

I am so blessed to be fortunate enough to live in such a wonderful country where we are privileged with many extraordinary opportunities. America symbolizes many different virtues that have been demonstrated throughout history by the brave and honorable men and women who have served our country. Whether it was leading a fight in war, or establishing the foundations of our country, they have each had a significant impact on how we got to where we are today. What America means to me, however, is more of a personal topic . Although I have never experienced what it is like outside of our country, my parents were both originally from Iraq and have travelled to other various countries before immigrating here, so they have had many dramatic stories …show more content…
This is one of the many significant blessings that people outside our country do not have the opportunity to experience. My parents have told me of their many difficulties they have encountered in having restricted rights to speak out their opinions. This freedom and liberty we have demonstrated the equality our country stands upon because it is given to people of all races, ethnicity, religion, etc. The Statue of Liberty and the Liberty Bell are national symbols that exhibit these qualities our nation emphasizes. Our country was also founded on the basis of freedom, since the arrival of the Pilgrims, which has set a significant precedent that has endured throughout time. From freedom of worship, to freedom of speech, we don’t have to be afraid to express our opinions, views, beliefs, ideas, or anything. We even have a physical, symbolic list of the Four Freedoms - freedom of speech, freedom of worship, freedom from want, freedom from fear- engraved on the Franklin Delano Roosevelt Memorial. Our Constitution establishes a Bill of Rights that lists our rights as American citizens that our government guarantees to protect. Our government also provides us with a privileged educational system, giving any person, no matter their background or social status, a free opportunity to successfully work at a job and earn a living. In James Truslow’ Adams’s book, The Epic of America, written in 1931, it …show more content…
From the many virtues we stand for, such as freedom, liberty, and equality, to the loyalty and devotion of our citizens, our country is a powerful representation of unity and patriotism, which brings our nation the lasting success it has attained. The pride we take in our country’s victories over time unify us as well, along with the celebrations we hold, such as the 4th of July, which is one of our strongest symbols of patriotism. Our unity and patriotism as a country is also strengthened by our relations with other countries, whether we are victorious in alliancing with them, or working as a country to compete against them. Not only do we encourage and emphasize this unity among our individual country, but we also express it around the world through the many decisions we have made, in an attempt to bring peace and equality among other countries. Although we do not have a common culture, America is composed of its own unique culture made up of the diverse ethnic groups which distinguishes us as a country. We have our own traditions that make us who we are as a nation, from playing football, to the way we dress, sing, behave, celebrate holidays, what we eat, and our customs in how we interact with people. Additional ways America’s patriotism is represented through is by having a national emblem, reciting the daily Pledge of Allegiance to our national flag, singing the Star Spangled Banner in remembrance of