Kaitys American

What does American mean to me? This question has been asked at different points in my life. The younger me, would answer with, American means being able to do what we want. A little more educated me would have said a place where we are safe from wars. The current me would answer: America means living in a place where you are able to make a difference for everyone. America means that you are protected because our fellow Americans serve our country and provide a safe environment for all. Lastly, it means that no matter what happens, you and your nation will come together to make our world a better place! We as Americans live in a nation of freedoms! They allow us to speak our minds, to choose our religion, protect ourselves, and participate in the making of our government. In our great nation our words have power. If we feel that something isn't being taken care of we can use our freedoms to speak our truths, take it to our government, and possibly get something changed. Protection of oneself is a freedom that is real and often disputed. We can take up arms, we can use our words, we can make our homes into mini base like places if we so choose, our protection is just that OURS. As Americans our government is of the people, for the people! Nowhere else is a united nation so in control for themselves. What a privilege it is to live in this great nation. Bob Marley once said “Love the life you live, Live the life you love.” Only in America is this truly an option! American means serving your country to help make it a better place. We are able to serve in the military both on our homeland and foreign countries. Making both, our world, a safer place to be. That is the epitome of being an American, putting others before yourself. You can serve in our government, helping better our communities and our country. As kids we can serve our country through volunteer work, or even by going to school, learning to become better citizens. I will never forget the way our