By Brynn Samson
Editor’s Note: Samson, a sophomore at Langford Area, recently won first place in the local Americanism Essay Contest organized by the Langford American Legion Auxiliary. Her essay went on to take second place at the District level. The theme this year for the essay contest was “What does America the Beautiful mean to me?” Brynn is the daughter of Krissa and Stuart Samson of Eden. Her essay is reprinted below.
America the Beautiful is a phrase that has been used to describe our country throughout the ages. Most probably associate the phrase with the song written by Katherine Lee Bates in 1893 that describes the landscapes and sights you might find in the United States.
Throughout my life, if you asked me what I thought America the Beautiful meant, I would probably say the same. When I would think of America the Beautiful, I would imagine the song. But writing this essay, and truly taking the time to think about what this phrase means to me, I have found myself not only thinking about the song, but what these words could actually be defined as. “O beautiful for heroes proved in liberating strife. Who more than self their country love, and mercy more than life!”
If you were to look at the lyrics of the song America the Beautiful, you might think it was talking about the fertile land and liberty of America. It does talk about these things, but it also refers to deeper and more meaningful things. These lyrics demonstrate the great sacrifices and dedication of the soldiers and veterans that served and died for our country. These brave men and women loved their country more than themselves, which gave them the courage to give their lives so that we can live ours. Their sacrifices mean more to me than I can comprehend, because as I live each day, I don’t usually imagine a place where I can’t grow up and go to college like I hope to one day, and I don’t worry about my safety when it comes to my rights and choosing to believe what I do. Veterans and our military give us the chance to live each day in our own America the Beautiful.
Another line in this song states, “O beautiful for patriot dream that sees beyond the years.” When I think back to the countless times soldiers have died fighting for our freedom, I can only imagine what they wanted for America. I think I can safely assume that in their heads, they were saying, “I will die for this country, for a better tomorrow, for a better America.” I know this may sound grim, but I can’t say that a “better America” is what is happening right now. Our country is divided in more ways than one, I think this is something that we can all agree on. So the point I want to get across with saying this is, I think we all could use a reminder on how this country is supposed to be, America the Beautiful, and how God wants us to act toward each other so we can all be one nation, under God. We all need to remember that the strongest nation is a united one, and I think the best way to become united again is to love one another as God loves us.
