Our country is blessed to be one of—if not the most—powerful, wealthy, and successful countries in the world.  It’s home to over 300 million people;  most who claim to be proud citizens. But what does it really mean to be an American?

Besides the fact that it entails you to live in the U.S., being an American has a lot more behind it than border lines.  You don’t have to own a SUV, plasma screen T.V., or a house with a white picket fence around it to be called an American.  An American should have an attitude that’s eager to help those in need, pursue goals, take advantage of all of the resources this country provides, and never give up.

September 11, 2001, was a very tough and shocking day for us Americans. It put our lives and safety back in perspective. Though sad and hard, we managed to make it to tomorrow. On September 12, 2001, we all came together as a people; no matter the distance, race, religion, sex, etc., to do what needed to be done. This included comforting those who’d lost loved one’s, volunteering to clean up, or even just donating some extra change to the Red Cross.

I remember where I witnessed 9/11, but what I’ll never forget is how Americans put aside our differences and made the country a better place than before. In my fourth grade class, my teacher involved us in a project to send ‘Thank You’ letters to the troops serving overseas. Though it may have seemed small at the time, it felt good to recognize those who put themselves on the line for our country’s sake; those special Americans who unselfishly sacrifice so much for their homeland. Actually, it ended up not so small. Our cards were featured on a couple nightly news stations. So, even in the littlest way, we did make a difference, kind of like on those days proceeding September 11^th.    

I think that times of need bring out the American in us the most; when we put aside what we thought was important at the moment and really begin to think about the big picture. Most would say that pride is a downfall, but it ends up bringing us closer together. The pride we feel for our country is shared across the nation and furthers us to try our best and go out of our way to do the right thing; whatever that might be at the time. It might include volunteering your time to help clean up hurricane damage, or even just voting; taking advantage of the rights we share as Americans.

I know that I sure am proud to be called an American. Even though America is clearly not perfect, our trying attitude goes way back. I am proud of this country for a number of reasons, but a big percentage of the reason originates from what our country was based on. It hasn’t always been easy for those called Americans. From history, I know that the Americans were long patronized by the British and their king; a democracy held down by a monarchy. But we resisted; we revolted and the consequence? Freedom. Freedom is what makes America worth while. It’s what everyone wants, and lots don’t have.

To really be called an American, though—I believe—is not a right, but a privilege. You must earn your rank, and that can be done easily. Support democracy; support the people; support freedom. Once you realize how hard it was to achieve it, then maybe you’ll really appreciate it and those who fight for it.

So, when you think of an American, don’t think of baseball; don’t think of hot dogs and hamburgers; don’t think of fireworks; think of the people who make it worth while to be an American; think of the people who think it’s worth while to fight for America; think of our founding father’s, and how they established this great country on the idea that people had the right to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.