Note: Each week the Eagle is publishing one of the first-place winners from the American Legion Auxiliary’s Americanism Essay Contest.

By Hunter Born

Bravery: having courage, standing up for what is right. The rarest of qualities of which our country was built on. America was a dream, sculpted into a masterpiece that only the bravest of men could create.

Bravery comes with a price, however, and those who have the courage to pay will never be forgotten. America was granted freedom and independence in exchange for the lives of thousands of valiant soldiers. This monumental stand led to the creation of the constitution, the heart that keeps these United States alive.

America continued to prove its bravery in both world wars by taking our allies under our wing and fighting for what was right, not only for our country but the world. You do not need to fight to prove yourself brave however, and America has shown us this countless times.

During the Great Depression, our beautiful country was at its worst. Chaos surrounded a once delightful country. Fortunately, our heroic forefathers gave the people of America the right to elect a leader, and when we elect a leader we look for characteristics such as confidence, bravery, and someone we can look to for guidance in these hard times. President Roosevelt, a man we elected to run this country took a gallant approach and created jobs for thousands of unemployed. Just one of the many great examples America has provided in the terms of bravery.

As America evolved for several more decades, a new situation approached our nation. The fight for civil rights was in full motion. African American leaders such as Martin Luther King, Jr., Rosa Parks, and Thurgood Marshall led the way to help our blinded country see the importance of equal rights. They were the icon of courage that showed the world God created all people as equals.

We live in a country where we are free to voice our opinions, free to elect a deserving leader, the freedom to practice any religion without discrimination, the right to pursue a happy life, and so many other privileges that are overlooked on a daily basis. America is indeed the home of the brave. The brave, who paved a path for freedom, equality, and justice to all of the people, and in this home live over 300 million people, living under the same roof as a family. This family has stayed together, united we stand, through the best of times and the worst, and for this, the people of America are the bravest in the world. We as a people back down to no challenge, exhibit tremendous courage every day, and continuously fight for what is right, which is to have a free country. This is why America is the land I love, a land I am extremely proud to say that I was born and raised in. An American through and through, who will always look to continue our brave tradition, one who has a strong ambition to show courage in everything I do.

Hunter Born is a senior at Grant Union High School.