Are You Proud of Your Country?

Are You Proud of Your Country?

By Austin Witthun

Authors note: This is a piece about patriotism. It is to inform the reader about my feelings about my country.

Are you proud of your country? What would you say if you were asked that question? I would hope that no one says no to that. Soldiers have fought and died for this country and then someone says that they are not proud of her. That would really tick me off. This is why I believe that everyone should be proud of their country.

“My fellow Americans, ask not what your country do for you, ask what you can do for your country.” This was said by John F. Kennedy, the 35^th President of the United States of America. It’s saying that you should serve your country rather than be served by it. The people, who have listened to that and have really taken it in, might have served by joining the military. This is why we have the freedoms that we have, because of those who have sacrificed so much so ensure our freedom. That is why we have the rights and freedoms that other countries don’t have.

One thing that helped with the freedom our country we have today is our military. Our military helped us win the world wars keeping our freedom. We have never lost a war, with the exception of Vietnam, although we have lost a few battles along the way. This is why I think that the U.S. is the biggest and best military power in the world. When we were becoming a separate country from Britain, our military helped us to gain our independence.

The only reason that I would ever say that I would ever say that I am not proud of our country is because of all the crime and violence. That is a terrible thing that is happening in the U.S. with all the freedoms and rights that we have are often abused. Sure there is killing and crime in other countries but here many say that we are supposed to be more civilized. Many of the freedoms we have are often taken for granted. As Dick Cheney once said: “It is easy to take your liberty for granted if you have never had it taken from you.”

There are so many freedoms that we don’t even realize we have. Few countries have as many as we do. These are the reasons that I am proud of my country and to be American. Where ever they live, everyone should be proud of their country.

Joining the Military

Joining the Military

Author’s Note: This is a paper about the military. It is a persuasive piece that is trying to persuade you to join the military.

Do you enjoy using firearms? Have you ever wished to fly aircraft? Are you looking for a new fitness challenge? Or just plain bored with your current job? Then the U.S. military has something for you.

In the military there are several branches that do different things as their main way of combat. The Air Force has air combat. The Navy is mainly sea. And the Army and Marines are mainly combat infantry. Of course in all branches there are exceptions such as: the Air Force’s Pararescue which is similar to sea operations, Navy SEALs which are like infantry and, the Navy and Marines and Army have pilots in their own versions of air combat.

Even after being in the service you can still get government benefits. Some include tax deductions and health care plans. Veterans and active duty can also shop at certain stores that have no tax on the stuff they sell. They can get discounts on houses and things of that nature. Also one example of a benefit is if you are young and get out of the military unharmed. The government will pay for your education.

Besides the fact that it would be a good experience and help you financially is that it would be the most patriotic thing you could do. For those who do not know what patriotism is, here is a definition: Devoted love, support, and defense of one’s country. Patriotism, for some people is their way of life. For them it is every day that they love their country and are thankful for their freedom. And as there are those who love our country, there are those who do not. I am talking about terrorism. And there is no one who is better at stopping terrorism that the U.S. military. Stopping terrorism is stopping events such as September 11^th and the few bombings that have happened in the U.S. in the past.

Joining the military is a very good thing. The more people that join our military the stronger it is. It is not for everyone though. You have to be tough physically and mentally. You have to be willing to do whatever it takes. Joining the military is definitely a great thing.

Letter (looking back)

Dear Alex,

Hey it’s Alex from the future, just writing a letter to you . Let me say congratulations and good job on taking down Harod Sayle and those stormbreaker computers. And I’ll admit it was really fun escaping from the factory on that C-130 right? Looking back I don’t think that there was a whole lot that could have been done differently to put you (me) in less danger, except one thing. When you got out of the MI6 building, why did you just get into a taxi on the street? Didn’t you realize that after all that, you were still in danger? I mean, Harod escaped and you destroyed his whole life’s work. He would obviously be out for revenge. Well anyway that is what I think you should have done differently.

Sincerely,

Alex Rider.

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