OSMOND — Winners in the American Legion Auxiliary essay contest have shared those essays, with the final two reading them during the Memorial Day program. The final two include Piper Hoffman, first-place winner in the eleventh and twelfth grades, and Donovan Heiman, winner in the ninth and tenth grades.
————— What does America the Beautiful mean to me (regarding veterans and our military)?
“America! America! God shed His grace on thee.” America has been blessed with the freedom our veterans and military have earned.
The “America The Beautiful” poem that became one of our country’s most beloved patriotic songs encompasses what it means to be a true American.
Each line voices its citizens to stay pure of heart and see the beauty their country has to offer. With that being said, what does “America the Beautiful” mean to me regarding our veterans and military?
From the spacious skies, amber waves of grain, majestic mountains, fruited plains, and shining seas, America is unmatched. What started once as a vision of a united country has become a reality. When we wake up every morning, do we look outside at our world and reflect on what it costs?
We see the beauty, but we must also remember to see the soldier who risked their life. That is what “America the Beautiful” means to me. It means that when I am reading or singing it, I look past the actual words on paper and in my mind and I speak from my heart.
It means I send a silent thank you to every veteran. I thank them for what they sacrificed and what they have given me. “America the Beautiful” is not about knowing the words or listing America’s natural beauty, but more about interpreting what those words are symbolizing.
If someone were to ask me to describe America in one word, I would, without hesitation, say beautiful.
When I think again of what “America the Beautiful” means to me, I can’t help but be reminded of the central ideals it portrays.
“And crown thy good with brotherhood.” Our military and veterans showed brotherhood when they fought together. In return for that act, we were given a chance as brothers and sisters. We show this, especially when we unite as one in the face of a disaster. “America the Beautiful” is about embracing our diversity, doing our duty to our country, and recognizing those who, as it says, “lavished precious life”.
“America the Beautiful” is a dream of the past, present, and future. To me, it is the standard of what our country stands for, what it continues to prove to us to be, and what we envision for its future. It is a beautiful country full of splendid views, but most importantly it is a land earned. Our veterans and military are the true reason behind any part of our lives we may take for granted, whether that be our freedom to live as we see fit. I know I am proud to be an American. Are you?
— Piper Hoffman Eleventh-twelfth Grade —————
What does America the Beautiful mean to me (regarding veterans and our military)?
The gun shots are ringing in my ears from the salute. The scent of gunpowder burns my nose. Now that the ceremony is over I’m running through the damp grass searching for bullet cases. I’m racing against the other kids trying not to disrespect any graves. In the background my grandma directs the band playing “America The Beautiful”. I was too young to know it then but America truly is beautiful.
But what keeps it beautiful?
To this day, “America The Beautiful” is one of my favorite patriotic songs. To me, one of the most meaningful lines in “America The Beautiful” is “O beautiful for heroes proved in liberating strife.” That line directly honors the brave men and women who have risked their lives to serve and defend our country.
Whether that was on the battlefield of World War II, in the mountains of Afghanistan, or in missions across the world, our military has always acted as a shield for American freedoms.
These heroes have sacrificed so much for us, ensuring that the United States remains a land of liberty.
Veterans and active duty service members dedicate more than just their time. In another line, “who more than self their country love and mercy more than life,” my previous statement is supported. They love their country more than themselves. They often spend many months or years away from their families, missing holidays, birthdays, and everyday moments.
The message of “America The Beautiful” is not just about remember- ing the sacrifices of the past. Veterans and active duty members need more than just gratitude; they deserve our support. The song’s call to celebrate America should remind us that the true beauty of our country lies in the bravery and dedication of those who have fought for it.
For me, “America The Beautiful” isn’t just a song. It’s a letter of gratitude, a poem of remembrance, and a call for us to honor those who have given so much for our freedom. As Americans, it’s our duty to ensure that their legacy lives on.
— Donovan Heiman Ninth-Tenth Grade
Piper Hoffman
Donovan Heiman
