Reflection On I Am Proud To Be An American

Is America really the country everyone fantasizes about? True, there are some negative aspects to the country but overall, it’s a country I am proud to be a citizen in. I am proud to be an American because we are provided many opportunities such as having freedom and rights, free public education, and a numerous amount of government aid to help everyone.

This emotionally-powerful idea snags the attention of the reader and reiterates the theme that soldiers confront several obstacles. Once more, Alexander communicates, “In practice, November 11 is clouded with ambiguous symbolism, and has become our most awkward holiday.” This quote exposes the uncomfortable situations that a plethora of veterans find themselves in. The very holidays meant to honor these soldiers has suffocated them with the question, “Why come back alive when you could have died a hero?” By explaining the social pressures soldiers face, the author restated her claims of the adversity soldiers find themselves in. While both of these articles use ample pathos, they also use logos to support their claim.

One of the great Presidents of the United States and a condemner of war, Abraham Lincoln, once said, “Military glory--that attractive rainbow, that rises in showers of blood--that serpent's eye, that charms to destroy.” Similarly, E.E. Cummings denounces war in his poems, after first hand experiences of battle in World War I. Although American society glamorizes war and the honor of sending a loved one to war, Cummings argues through his depictions of actual life on the battlefield, that this glamorization is not patriotic. People who push their children and friends into battle are not aware of and have no desire to be aware of the traumatizing experiences that the soldiers, whom they so proudly support, are facing. As exemplified through a unique writing style and the false rhetoric used by “patriots” who support war, Cummings suggests that the influence from a soldier’s home-front that pushes him to war is ironically anti-patriotic.

Gen. George S. Patton, Jr., wrote: “The soldier is the Army. No army is better than its soldiers. The Soldier is also a citizen. In fact, the highest obligation and privilege of citizenship is that of bearing arms for one’s country.” With the all volunteer military, more and more americans are being disconnected with their peers, and fewer are choosing to serve. The divide between these two americans is wider than ever before. When Veterans try to share their experiences, many people might not be able to offer empathy. Tim O’Brian in “How to Tell a True War Story” constantly reiterates that war stories could be shared in perspective of the fire fights and theatrics, but a more effective one sheds light on the soldier’s ability to make sense

June 8 of this summer in Normandy France, I had the privilege to pay my respects at the American Cemetery and memorial. It being two days since the memorial,the red poppies were still fresh adorned on the graves of men that marched on the beaches nearby 72 years ago. It was during this once in a lifetime opportunity that though I always believed myself to have a strong love for my country, for the first time I came to understand not only what it means to be American but my responsibility to America.

Many events have occurred in American history that have shaped and defined some of the most influential people in our country. Individuals such as Martin Luther King Jr, Thomas Jefferson, Rodolfo Gonzalez, Hughes, Lin-Manuel Miranda, and Malcolm X have been through many hardships in their lives on their way to achieving the American dream. They have endured tough experiences and know what it means to be an American. All of these individuals have the characteristics of determination, courage, and the motivation to fight against social injustice that make up a true, hard-working American.

In technical terms being an American ultimately means you are a citizen of the country, however there is another question on a more meaningful scale of what it really means. An American lives in America, but the article implies it means something else than to simply live, but rather to “live” the American life. You can live as in exist, or you can live as in experience. People from all over the world come to the place I call home in order to establish a healthy new home for themselves and to experience the wonderful life of an American, which concludes that you do not have to be born in America, you can be any ethnicity and still be an American.

To be an American in my opinion is being part of a movement that not only allows everyone to follow the path of success but also, to fulfill our personal aspect of the American dream. Simultaneously, most people’s notion of American values may fall along with the line of being highly educated, self-reliant, or adventurous. While in the whole of United States, from early grades to secondary schooling is free, everyone is somehow expected to be literate to some extent. Their self-reliant ability has allowed most Americans to be independent, and resilient against any cultural superstitions. Most importantly what makes being an American so special is that, their ability to unite in the common goal though they all have the very diverse course of

Shells exploded all around us, peppering us with shrapnel. Over the past months, I’d watched friends, enemies, and innocent bystanders die. Every time someone fell, I felt the briefest flicker of guilt. Had it been my bullet? Was more blood on my hands? Some nights I yelled, hoping more than just God and the stars would hear me; some nights I cried, praying no one was listening. Around me, I saw grown men falling to bits, their nightmares screaming them back to reality as they echoed through the trenches. Reality was no better than their nightmares.

As I stood up gracefully looking at the ones who I admire up above the ones who died and gave me the right to live. Being a proud American is one of the things I’m grateful for. As the trees blew with wind, hearing all the rocks crumble down as I walked toward the mountains, the nature around is unforgettable. The history of it is something to never forget. As I looked up high as each president stood you could as if see proud in George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Theodore Roosevelt and Abraham Lincoln there eyes of gratefulness they’ve done for our country on making it grate.

Being American is more than talking English or eating hot dogs. Americans can be very patriotic to their country. For example we love to celebrate 4th of July, the day the U.S became independent.to me being American is something to be really proud of. It is amazing to have freedom and the right to vote to better my country. Most countries don’t have the privileges we Americans have.

The heartbreaking photo of an American soldier comforting an Iraqi girl, as she vigorously fights for her life. Her pink sweater sleeve saturated with blood on the right side of her arm captured my attention as a child in despair. The solider safeguarded the irreparable child as he exhibits empathy in her time of need, after being separated by her family during the Iraqi war. The distressed looked upon the perturbed soldiers face with his eyes close, as if he is praying for the well-being of the injured child. While he sits in the desert, with his backpacks on the ground surrounding him and his fellow soldiers standing in the scenery with combat gear, holding assault rifles.

When I came to the United States three years ago, I didn’t know how to speak English at all. I started learning this new language after only speaking Spanish for 16 years; it was certainly an intimidating and daunting challenge. I thought it was going to be impossible for me to learn English in time to attend a respectable university, since my surrounding peers were constantly discouraging me. Through hard work and determination, I managed to learn how to fluently read and write English like a native speaker in just a year and a half. I am blessed enough to say that I now attend one of the most prestigious universities in the United States. Initially, I was ignorant to the potential that laid dormant within me. Now, I understand that we, as people, limit ourselves by paying attention to limitations rather than our ability to permeate and conquer them. Focusing on our limits hinders our progression and prevents us from achieving our full potential. Society inculcates us with the idea that we are born with a predetermined future, to which some of us who lack critical thinking skills become robotically attached. We are raised with prearranged boundaries, consequently, keeping our minds away from revolutionary ways of thinking. Instead of being encouraged to think outside of the box, we are conditioned to remain inside that box. This is a violence that we ourselves perpetuate; we hurt ourselves by underestimating our ability to transcend beyond these artificial boundaries

In my thoughts United States is a unique country. Because, it built by the immigrants who came here for better opportunity, beautiful life and great dreams. United States reminds me small world because lot of people from each part of the world live here. That makes United States different and interesting country in my mind. Culture is something which explains people’s life style, interest, history and values. So, every emigrant brought some new perspective in the United State. We are able to find some cultural piece from every part of the world. Because of, the dreams every person brought some perspective which makes them hard working and seeking for new opportunities. So, United State is the representative of diversity, new built culture, individualism and direct also outspoken place where your dream could be true.

“God of our fathers, who by land and sea have ever lead us to victory, please continue your inspiring guidance in this the greatest of all conflicts. Strengthen my soul so that the weakening instinct of self-preservation, which besets all of us in battle, shall not blind me to my duty to my own manhood, to the glory of my calling, and to my responsibility to my fellow soldiers. Grant to our armed forces that disciplined valor and mutual confidence which insures success in war. Let me not mourn for the men who have died fighting, but rather let me be glad that such heroes have lived. If it be my lot to die, let me do so with courage and honor in