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Patriots Pen Essay Local Winner Is Dakota Park

Patriots Pen Essay Local Winner Is Dakota Park

Editor's Note: Dakota penned this patriotic essay when she was only 12 years old and in 7th grade. Her entry won locally in the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 3513 Auxiliary competition. (Only minimal editing has been done to the original entry.)

To be a good American, you take an oath to [pledge] all loyalty to this country. You follow the Bill of Rights and the Constitution. You are given the right to be an American and that stands for [more than simply] " A resident of the United States".

There are millions of people who would love to have the rights you have, to do what you do and sometimes we take that for granted. Some people would hang out of the side of a plane to be you right now. Think about that for a minute. You are sitting right here listening to me because I have the right of the Freedom of Speech. Millions of people made that possible. No matter what your race, sex or color, people fought so you can have your opinion. [As] the famous French historian Voltaire said, "I disapprove of what you say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it".

There are many ways to be a good American but the best you can do is to be kind to one another. [As] the Pledge of Allegiance says, "With Liberty and Justice for All". You could be rude to me but I would be kind back because kindness always wins, just like our schools and parents teach us [that] you don't want to be a bully. That is not the American Way.

The American way is liberty and the pursuit of happiness. You can achieve anything in America through kindness and hard work. Other countries would love to be like us but don't have the hard working, dedicated [and sacrificing] people [with the freedom] to attain it. The Declaration of Independence made America what it is today along with its people who fought for it.

The Colonists were able to make an official alliance with the government of France and got French assistance in the war against Great Britain. They made this happen because they said what they wanted, sacrificed, and achieved it. Yes, lives were lost, but Americans were willing to sacrifice their lives so we could have better and safer lives for you and your children and for generations to come. That is the American Way!

About Patriot's Pen

Each year more than 165,400 students in grades 6-8 enter the VFW's Patriot's Pen youth essay contest for a chance to win their share of more than $1.4 million in state and national awards. Each first place state winner receives a minimum of $500 at the national level, and the national first place winner wins $5,000!

The essay contest encourages young minds to examine America's history, along with their own experiences in modern American society, by drafting a 300- to 400-word essay, expressing their views based on a patriotic theme chosen by the VFW Commander-in-Chief.

For more information on VFW Auxiliary scholarship opportunities, please visit: https://vfwauxiliary.org/scholarships/