03/18/2026
We are very proud to announce the winners of our 2026 Americanism Essay Contest.
Class I Winner - grades 3 and 4
Madison L.
Celebrating America's 250th Birthday and the Veterans who Fought for Our Freedom
This year we celebrate America's 250th birthday! This means that 250 years ago America was founded with the signing of the Declaration of Independence in 1776. Our celebration will include community events, fireworks, and even some parades.
We will also celebrate the men and women who have fought to protect our country. We call these amazing people Veterans. Veterans are heroes who fought in wars, risking their lives for our freedom. It is because of them that we have the rights to go to school, get jobs that we love, and even vote when we get older.
Veterans have served their country as members of the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, or Coast Guard. The Army protects the land, the Navy protects the water, and the Air Force protects the skies. The Marine Corps defends the land by way of the sea and the Coast Guard protects the coastal waters.
Both my Uncle and Great-Grandfather served in the Navy. Everyone in my family and I are very proud of them! I think that the best way to celebrate America's 250th birthday is to say "THANK YOU!" to our veterans whenever we have the chance. Without them, we would not have the freedoms that we do today.
Class IV Winner - grades 9 and 10
Julia E.
Celebrating America’s 250th Birthday and the Veterans who Fought for Our Freedom
As we commemorate the 250th birthday of our nation, we must not forget those who fought to bring us to where we are today. The soldiers that have fought numerous wars to
ensure freedom and justice for all are too often overlooked. Freedom did not just stay
because it was won in 1776. It continued because ordinary men and women were willing to fight for it. When we celebrate Independence Day, we should look beyond the celebrations and recognize those who have put their lives on the line to protect the rights that we enjoy.
Two soldiers who stand out to me personally are my grandfathers. Although they did not serve on the front lines, they took on vital roles in supporting the war efforts. All soldiers, despite assignment, or location, are important to the overall fight for freedom. The military is a unit made up of many different people doing different jobs, all with one common goal in mind, ensuring safety and freedom for the country. One of my grandfathers served in the Vietnam War, while the other served in the Korean War. Both of my
grandfathers were stationed in military headquarters, helping soldiers on the front lines make advances and giving us a chance at freedom. Their service reminds me that heroism is not just limited to the battlefield.
While my grandfathers were deployed, I can only imagine the pressure they felt to make the right decisions in order to help those who were fighting and ensure their safety. All soldiers have been emotionally changed from the war. Long hours, distance from family,
and uncertainty about what is next are just some of the emotional challenges faced by soldiers. Not only do they have to face emotional challenges but soldiers on the front lines are also faced with physical challenges. After the war, some soldier’s bodies were changed forever. Some soldiers also never saw their families again.
As we celebrate America’s 250th birthday, we must remember that our freedom is not just an achievement in history, but an ongoing battle that still needs to be fought.
Honoring veterans is more than a simple thank you. We must appreciate and respect the
liberties that they fought to protect. We must also continue the fight that they have started.
Fireworks and parades are celebrations. Without gratitude and remembrance of those who have died in service, they mean nothing.
America’s story is one of patriotism, sacrifice, and hope for a better tomorrow. It should serve as a reminder that freedom is not always guaranteed and there is still a need
for change. As we continue into the future, we must not forget the sacrifices that have been
made. Instead, we should carry the legacy of those who served and follow the precedents that have been set by them.
Congratulations Ladies and Good Luck moving forward.
