Essay Winner-Venegas

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While it is not known what city was the first to celebrate the holiday commonly known as Memorial Day, it is a day which is celebrated by all in America, and rightfully so. For those individuals unfamiliar with Memorial Day and its purpose, it is the day that all Americans young and old, rich and poor, pugilist and pacifists, unite in spirit and honor to remember those who fought to defend this country and died for its cause. Since its inception on May 5^th, 1868, Memorial Day has become one of the most patriotic and sentimental days in history. Since its beginning, Memorial Day has united all Americans towards one common and noble cause: freedom.

When I was little and my mother first attempted to explain Memorial Day to me I was confused and extremely upset. I could not comprehend why our nation would dedicate an entire day to praising the fallen. It was not until several years later that I began to fully understand the meaning and importance of Memorial Day. To me, Memorial Day is not only a day to honor our fallen soldiers by remembering their sacrifice, but it is a day to remind ourselves why we must continue day in and day out to make our nation the very best it can be. It is a day to remember those who were brave enough to answer the call of a nation in need when no one else would. It is a day to thank those men and women who gave their lives for this country, and to thank those families who raised such selfless sons and daughters. “The dead soldiers silence our national anthem.” This quote by Aaron Kilbourn solidifies the idea that America would not exist today if it wasn’t for the soldiers who fought and died that we might live in freedom and, to a certain extent, peace today. It is my prayer that no man, woman, or child will ever take for granted what these families and soldiers have sacrificed. In my humble opinion, these heroes’s deserve to be honored every day, not just on Memorial Day. Those courageous men and women gave their lives so we might grow and prosper, the least we can do is keep their memory alive in our hearts and minds. Alone, America is nothing but a giant mass of land. It is the people who broke their backs fighting for their freedom and the freedom of others that truly made this mass of rock and dust the nation that it is today. Freedom is not free and as long as people remain, the memories of fallen soldiers remain with them; never to be let go; never to be forgotten.

-Ashley Venegas

First Place Winner in the High School Division winning a $1,000 US Savings Bond was….

Ashley Venegas!

CONGRATULATIONS ASHLEY!

Read Ashley’s prize winning essay below…

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