The dictionary defines a hero as someone of distinguished courage or ability, admired for their brave deeds. When most people think of a hero, they think of the men and women serving in the armed forces, or the men and women who gave their lives in the attacks on September 11, 2001. For most people this is true. I, however have a somewhat expanded view of a hero. My expanded view of a hero is the many wives and husband who are married to service personnel. I grew up in a military family and my father was deployed away for months at a time. This is very trying on a young family, especially when the military family is so far away from their extended family. I can remember as a child the tears as my dad would leave wearing his flight suit and black boots carrying his duffle bag. These were very trying times for my mom, but we knew that this was the way things were, we were a military family. Running a household as a married single parent I saw my mom serving the role as mom and dad, caregiver and disciplinarian. This was the way that things had to be done. I give my mom a lot of credit, as well as the many other military spouses. This life is a difficult but rewarding life. My mom will be the first to tell you that she could not have seen this country if it were not for the military, although most of the sightseeing was done through a car window at about 60 mph. Who else could give you the adventure of having a toddler, a six month old baby, being pregnant with your third and a dog that just had puppies, and by the way your husband just came home with orders to move you across the county to California (you are currently in Massachusetts). Most wives would be freaking out with just half of this dilemma. Military wives take this situation as part of their way of life. They start packing up their good china, gathering health and school records, exchanging addresses with the other families who will eventually be doing the same thing she is doing. These moms also have to wipe the tears of their children as she tells them they can write to their new found best friend in the world. Mom will also be the one to reassure her children that there will still be McDonalds on the other side of the country and that you will make new friends at your new school. Mom will also be there when her children have to make the decision as to which toys will go into the moving van and which ones will fit in the car after all of the traveling necessities. Behind every military family there is one pillar that holds up the weight of their family, for me this would be my mom.

Cathryne M. Smith

Before one can answer the question of "Is America still the best country in the world?" one must first ask if America ever was the best country in the world. We can go back to 1492 when Columbus sailed the ocean blue and discovered this great new land. He took word back to Spain of a new land that could be conquered and used for trade routes and colonies. Over a century later the second successful settlement began by a group seeking religious freedom. This group, of course, was the Pilgrims who stumbled upon Plymouth Rock. From then the new land and population grew to support thirteen colonies who were ultimately under the control of the British. Despite being a very young union, in 1776 we declared our independence from one of the major world powers which lead to full out war on our own soil. Our brothers fought that war to defend those truths which they felt to be self evident; life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. Those founding fathers envisioned a country of freedom, of opportunity, of prosperity. A country that had more regulations for the government than for the people. Their idea can be summed up in one word; democracy. From that moment on, America has made it a priority to make those ideas available to everyone world wide.

Over the past 230 years, it's not a stretch to say that many things have changed. However, the most noticeable are the superficial things like technological advances. As a nation, I believe our direction and vision have not changed all that much. The finest man to ever come from Illinois said it best in 1863 when, with a heavy heart he spoke out "…that government, of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the Earth." To this day we still fight battles to make the world safe for democracy. We are a neighbor to the world, willing to lend our garden hose whenever needed. Not only are we a power to the world, but we are foremost a power to our people. Unlike many [socialist] countries, we offer endless opportunities for self improvement. It started back with the Pilgrims. The Indians didn't just give them fish, instead they taught them how to fish. Education (academic or vocational) has since become an intrinsic value in the American lifestyle.

Amanda Kennedy

Patriotism is a big part of my life. I have grown up in a very patriotic family. My great grandfather and grandfather served in WWII, while my other grandfather served in Vietnam. Now, my father is fighting in the Iraq War. These men in my life have shown their patriotism by fighting for our country. I demonstrate my patriotism in different ways. I may not be in the military, but I'm very proud of my country and my family for doing what they have done for this land. During high school, I started a letter campaign for our troops in Iraq, conducted a support our troops day, and participated in patriotic activities in my city.

I have always been very supportive and proud of the military. During my sophomore year in high school, I started a letter campaign for an Army Unit. I rallied all my friends and fellow students to write a letter to some of the soldiers fighting in Iraq. After I received all the letters, I sent them along with a box full of snacks and games for the troops in Iraq. I felt so proud of the troops. I was doing what I could do to show that I support them and support my country.

I ended up moving to a different city during high school. I was now living in a military town. Seeing all of the military around me got me thinking about how I could show my love and patriotism even more than I had been. So, I decided to conduct a day at my school to support our troops. I made a couple thousand yellow ribbons and handed them out during lunch time. It was a great feeling to walk down the hallways and see that just about everyone had a yellow ribbon on them, showing the love and gratitude for the military and our country. I love putting so much of my time and energy into showing my support.

I show my patriotism and love by participating in a lot of activities that my city offers. Every Memorial day, I will be found at a local cemetery where fallen men have been buried. I go there to show my gratitude for what these men fought for. They fought for the United States and I always want to show them that I appreciate what they have given to this country. I also go to the parades that honor our Veterans. It is always nice to go there and see all the men together who fought for this country that I love. It's a great feeling to look in the crowds and see a crowd full of flags blowing in the wind.

Patriotism is a feeling of pride that I feel inside. It's not only a feeling, but an action. To get up and show how much I love my country is one of the greatest sensations that I have ever felt. Patriotism will always be apart of my life because I love my country.

Jessica Squires.