Essay Winner-Caple

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Americans have celebrated Memorial Day since 1868. It has been a holiday near and dear to the hearts of many Americans since that time. Soldiers who have died in wars past to keep the liberty our country is known for should be recognized, and that is exactly what Memorial Day was established to achieve.

Originally known as “Decoration Day,” Memorial Day is the national holiday in which Americans are to stop and think about the men and women who gave their lives for their country’s sake. As previously stated, the first Memorial Day was observed in 1868; however, President Lyndon Johnson officially announced the origin of the American holiday in 1966 to be Waterloo, NY. Originally the holiday was created to honor those who died in the Civil War, but it was changed later to exist to recognize those who died in any war in American History.

It is all too true, that many Americans are indifferent to this holiday and only see it as a day off from school or work. Too often is the day passed over and forgotten. It has become a somewhat misunderstood holiday because many Americans think that it is to honor all of the dead, not just those who died in war. As Americans, we have taken our freedom for granted. We have become uncaring of what so many people have given up just so that we might be able to live free lives full of opportunity and liberty. It’s hard for me to see so many teenagers and even adults’ care so little about the men and women who laid down their lives for our way of life. To me, this day is important because those soldiers deserve our recognition and gratitude. As a country we need to wake up and see that what we have is not free: it was given to us for a price. Sure I don’t have a family member, who has died in the war, but my grandfather did serve in the Navy, and it means so much to me that he would put his life on the line for us. You don’t have to have known someone who has died in a war to be grateful for his/her service.

As an American you and I both owe these men and women at the very least our gratitude and attention for one day. It breaks my heart to see my fellow classmates so unfeeling when we stand to say the Pledge to the flag every morning. Some people just don’t realize how well we have it in this country, and Memorial Day is the perfect opportunity to show citizens that our freedom came with a price; human lives.

All in all, Memorial Day is a timer when American families can get together and remember those who gave their lives for the sake of our liberty. The day means a whole lot to me, and I pray more students eyes will be opened to just how important this holiday is.

-Catherine Caple

First Place Runner-Up in the High School Division winning a $500 US Savings Bond was….

Catherine Caple!

CONGRATULATIONS CATHERINE!

Read Catherine’s prize winning essay below…

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