Florida State Winner

Nathan Jaymes Seaman
St. Petersburg, FL
Horizon High School
Private (Non-Religious)
12th Grade

Today I realized what it meant to be an American. I was getting ready for school and I heard a touching story of a young soldier who was serving overseas. This is the story.

The young solider had only a few minutes to read the long-awaited letter that had just arrived from his wife. He would be leaving on a mission with his unit in a few minutes that would take him to a village. His mission was to assist in efforts to restore some degree of normalcy to a once peaceful village that had been overtaken by the enemy forces.

Slowly, he opened the slightly wrinkled envelope. The sweet aroma of her perfume escaped the envelope and filled the air around him. He closed his eyes. It was almost like she was there with him. How he missed her! Months of living in the desert had surely taken its toll.

He once again focused his eyes upon the letter. As he read into the first few lines he gave a slight gasp. He could hardly believe his eyes! He was going to be a father. Tears began to well up and run down his sun-worn face. He had never felt such joy.

A renewed sense of pride and determination was instilled in his heart as he envisioned the sweet face of a child, his very own child that would be born in America. His purpose for being there became clearer. He was not only fighting for the freedom of these people, but he was also fighting to secure the future freedom for his child.

Abruptly, the silence was broken by the loud sound of his Commander's voice yelling from the jeep outside. It was time to go.

The young soldier never returned to his camp. A small band of hostile insurgents were waiting outside of the village. Sadly, all of the soldiers were killed.

After hearing this story, I sat quietly for a long time. What did it mean for me to be an American? The answer came to me as I thought of this young soldier. This young father knew his responsibility and he was willing to live up to what he needed to do despite the price.

Responsibility means different things to different people. To some, it may mean serving in our armed forces overseas. To others, it may mean being good American citizens and standing up for what is right within our own borders. Regardless, our willingness to accept our responsibilities is imperative to the success of the freedom that we all share.

This soldier's child will never know his father, but this child will know the freedom that his father sacrificed his life to defend. Someday this child will grow up. He will smile, and breathe a prayer of thanks to the man that was willing to accept his responsibility.

I dedicate this essay to the many men and women serving in our armed services. They are our true heroes and they are the ones that teach us on a daily basis what it means to be true Americans. May we all share in their thirst for freedom and do what we can to continue to make this great nation free for our future generations. May freedom ring loud and clear. May God Bless America.