Alabama State Winner

Grace Root
Marion, AL
Henderson Academy
Home School
10th Grade

What makes an American? Some would say that you have to fly the flag on your porch and say the Pledge of Allegiance every day; some that you have to serve the government in some form. I was born at Fort Hood, Texas, the largest army post in the nation, my grandfathers both served in the Army, and I have followed my Dad all over the world on his Army assignments. These are all admirable things, but none of them make me an American. What truly makes an American? Sacrifice, pride, love, and most of all patriotism through every hardship.

Sacrifice -- I was six years old when my Dad got deployed to Bosnia for the first time. I remember sitting up nights in the top bunk bed and crying "I want my Daddy!". It is hard to give up our loved ones. My Opa died when I was twelve. Opa served in Vietnam three times. After he died, an elementary class obtained a list of veterans and made homemade magnets. One student made a stars and stripes magnet that said "My Hero". On the back was my Opa's name.

Pride -- On Memorial Day, my pastor asked all those who served in the military to stand. I was very proud of all the people (including Dad) who stood up, even the people I didn't know. It was the same way when I saw my brother in his uniform. I felt like I was about to explode. My brother has no intention of being in the Army, but he went to the military junior college where my Dad teaches chemistry. We usually attend all graduation and other ceremonies. The cadets are commissioned 2nd Lieutenants as soon as they say their oaths. I always feel like I'm about to fly when I see the cadets raise their right hands.

Love and Patriotism -- At West Point, I played on a soccer team that called themselves the Army Brats. We were coached by West Point Cadets, and we practiced on the field right in front of the Cadet Library. Our practice always coincided with retreat, the military ceremony of lowering the flag. Every time we heard the trumpet sound retreat we all stopped and placed our hands over our hearts. Most people would consider our team very patriotic, but it takes real patriotism to support our country even when we don't agree with its actions. Not everybody agrees with the War on Terror, but we should be united in our support of those carrying out the decisions of our elected representatives. We should support our troops because we know that each of those soldiers is doing his duty to his country. We know they are Americans.

To be an American means more than having generations of history on this continent. It is more than voting on Election Day. Americans do whatever they need to do to serve their country, even if it is painful. Sacrifice. Americans rejoice in who they are: freedom fighters. Pride. Americans love and serve their country in spite of its mistakes. Love and Patriotism. This is the real American. Here is the challenge: are we True Americans?