[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 158 (2012), Part 11]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages 15151-15153]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




IN HONOR OF THE WINNERS OF THE HISTORICAL SOCIETY OF WINSLOW TOWNSHIP'S 
                VETERANS DAY 2012 STUDENT ESSAY CONTEST

                                  _____
                                 

                         HON. ROBERT E. ANDREWS

                             of new jersey

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, November 13, 2012

  Mr. ANDREWS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the winners of the 
Historical Society of Winslow Township's Veterans Day 2012 Student 
Essay Contest.
  These nine students, in the 7th and 8th grades at Winslow Township 
Middle School and 12th grade at Winslow Township High School, wrote on 
what the word ``freedom'' means to them in their hearts. The moving 
prose of these young men and women is a testament to the patriotic 
spirit of the citizens of South Jersey and an inspiration to all 
Americans. For that reason, Mr. Speaker, I submit the following for the 
Congressional Record:

               Kelli O'Neil, 7th Grade, 1st Place Winner

       By definition freedom is; the power to determine action 
     without restraint. But freedom means monumentally more than 
     that to me. Speech, expression, faith these are only a few of 
     the stripes on the beautiful rainbow that is freedom. Freedom 
     is what sets America so high above the rest, what makes it 
     such a beautiful place to live.
       Every Sunday, millions of Americans go to church. Imagine 
     if these millions of people were in a different country. 
     Practicing their own religion may not be legal. Whilst this 
     goes on for myself and to most Americans going to church 
     feels like such a simple liberty.
       As an adolescent female I am still in school getting an 
     education and plan to continue through college. Now let's 
     pretend I am in some other country for example. I would not 
     be in school, I would be home doing housework caring for my 
     siblings. Back in America I am permitted to wear whatever 
     clothing I wish to wear; however, in some countries I 
     shouldn't even show my own hair. All of these wonderful 
     rights that I do have are given to me simply because America 
     values freedom. Our flag flying through the air sings of 
     freedom. And the graceful eagle soaring through the heavens 
     screams freedom. Every day, I look at the things I do and 
     wear and I am truly grateful for America and all of its 
     freedoms.
       I have the privilege of being in an honors writing class, 
     and in this class I write exactly what I think and feel about 
     any and every thing without fear of punishment by law. I 
     cannot say the same for many other children in foreign 
     countries. In these countries writing the way they feel about 
     things like laws, politics, and leaders can result in great 
     punishment. Without the freedom to express how I feel I don't 
     know how I would survive. My opinions are who I am, and they 
     are a piece of me.
       Lee Greenwood once said, ``proud to be an American Where at 
     least I know I'm free, and I won't forget the men who died 
     who gave that right to me.'' This is so incredibly true, and 
     I would like to take this moment in time to put the spotlight 
     on the soldiers who have passed away, our veterans, and our 
     soldiers who are currently serving because they are the sole 
     reason for all of these fantastic freedoms that me and my 
     fellow Americans have today.
       So, in conclusion, freedom is the biggest blessing ever 
     bestowed upon the American people, and it is not to be taken 
     for granted.

                Deanna Paul, 7th Grade, 2nd Place Winner

       The first 10 amendments of the Constitution, or the Bill of 
     Rights, set priceless rights and freedoms that Americans may 
     enjoy. There is a rather large variety of them, ranging from 
     the freedom of speech to just the right of traveling anywhere 
     you want in the nation.
       If you were to look in the dictionary for the word 
     ``freedom'', you'd probably find that it means ``free to do 
     something or free of something'', or anything within those 
     lines. That'd be correct. The many freedoms that we as 
     Americans have should be treated like gifts, as they are. 
     However, our freedoms are often misused now, in a way our 
     forefathers didn't intend them to be. For example, the 
     freedom of speech, which is the freedom to say our opinions 
     as long as they don't cause any harm to others, is now being 
     used to bully and cause mental pain to citizens by Americans 
     who want to cause trouble.
       Nevertheless, our freedoms are still gifts and worth 
     protecting. The many veterans who have fought for our country 
     by sacrificing themselves, whether they were killed or 
     wounded physically or mentally in battle or returned home 
     intact, should and are respected by our nation. They fought 
     or are fighting at the moment to keep things the way that 
     they should be, to protect the millions of Americans who have 
     the access to the freedoms in the Bill of Rights. Without 
     those brave men and woman, we might not be the way we are 
     today, as we would be vulnerable to other countries who mean 
     harm to Americans because of our freedoms and policies.
       Personally, I'm so used to these freedoms that they seem 
     ordinary and unimportant, but after reading so many articles 
     about the lifestyles and other events occurring in other 
     parts of the world, I feel extremely lucky--and proud. I've 
     learned that not all countries are lucky enough to have the 
     same rights and freedoms that we are able to have, and that's 
     worth protecting.
       While practicing these freedoms throughout your ordinary 
     lives, remember: They're special. People are out there 
     fighting; just for us to feel safe while exercising those 
     rights we were given. Be grateful. Use them the way they were 
     intended to be used. And most importantly, respect our 
     veterans.

              Sarah Marshall, 7th Grade, 3rd Place Winner

       Freedom is a lot of things. To an American citizen it is a 
     privilege. To a mother in a dictated country it's a hope. Or 
     to a government figure it is a law. But no matter what it 
     means to different people, the definition of freedom will 
     always be the same to me; a right.
       Freedom can come in all different forms. For example; you 
     could have freedom of speech, freedom of expression or 
     freedom of religion. With freedom, I can speak out against 
     almost anything (including our political and government 
     system); I can choose and practice my own religion without 
     fear of being abused or jailed, and so much more. Freedom is 
     an important part to a great country.
       In my opinion, everyone should be allowed to have freedom. 
     It's not right to be killed or abused because of what you 
     believe in or say. Some people take things like freedom, life 
     and rights for granted. Not me. I will always remember that 
     it is a huge privilege that a lot of people don't receive. I 
     will also keep in mind not to abuse my rights and freedom 
     because people died for it. They died for you and me, and 
     everyone else in America to be able to express ourselves 
     without risk. To have my rights taken away would be a 
     dishonor. And I really hope that everyone who does have 
     freedom realizes that.
       In some countries, you can actually be shot at just for 
     speaking your mind. A real life example of that is of a young 
     female citizen from Pakistan. In Pakistan, they are currently 
     fighting for women's rights. A young lady spoke her opinion 
     on women having education and she was shot. This reminds us 
     that we are lucky, Those of us in America wouldn't have been 
     shot; we probably would've been rewarded. lf the young women 
     had been from the United States that tragic situation would 
     never have happened due to the fact that women already have 
     the right to education.
       If you asked a professor what freedom means to them, the 
     answer would be a thousand miles long. The answer is so long 
     I couldn't fit it in this essay. But if it somehow wasn't 
     clear how thankful I am for it,

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     going to put it like this; Freedom is something to be 
     thankful for. You should pray to your (a) god for it, discuss 
     it at thanksgiving dinner, and visit the graves of those who 
     died for it. You never know, thousands of miles away someone 
     might be praying for the freedom you already have.

               Akaash Patel, 8th Grade, 1st Place Winner

       Freedom . . . Such a small word for a very meaningful 
     definition. Every day of our lives we are presented with this 
     right. However, what exactly does freedom mean to you? To me, 
     freedom means the moral principle of being able to choose how 
     you live your life. Before freedom we were told what to 
     believe in. We had no say so on what our lives would be like. 
     However, we, as a united nation celebrate and declare 
     freedom; not as a privilege but as a right.
       Our forefathers fought for the right of freedom. They put 
     their lives on the line for the sake of other people's 
     rights. We should always be grateful that our founding 
     fathers gave us freedom. Moreover, we should constantly honor 
     America's veterans and active military. They have and are 
     putting their feelings for this country into actions, not 
     words. A picture paints a thousand words.
       USA has many veterans coming back from Afghanistan. Some 
     have come back from Vietnam. Some are even coming back from 
     top priority missions that they enlisted in. However, all of 
     these men and woman have one definite thing in common, their 
     reason. All war veterans' reason for fighting always traces 
     back to freedom. They believe in freedom and know deep in 
     their heart what it means to them. America's veterans were, 
     are, and forever will be dedicated to freedom.
       I think that freedom is a very unappreciated right. As a 
     kid I woke up every day able to believe in what I wanted to. 
     I was born into my religion. However I was not necessarily 
     forced to accepting it. This was the perfect world our 
     country's founders, veterans, and active military had created 
     for me and everyone else to share. In spite of this, we truly 
     do not honor this right enough despite the immense value it 
     holds. You never miss something until you lose it.
       In conclusion, freedom is essential in people's lives. We 
     are free to choose any religion, believe in what we want, and 
     do what we want. This entitlement to every US citizen keeps 
     this country intact. In contrast, we would have never had 
     this right unless our veterans and active military had not 
     protected this sacred allotment. To sum it up, thanks to our 
     brave and bold veterans and our courageous active military we 
     live our lives and cherish freedom.

            Harleigh Mae Burke, 8th Grade, 2nd Place Winner

       In the 1700's, when our founding fathers began sculpting 
     the Constitution of our nation, there was one thing they all 
     agreed on: Freedom is a right all people should be given from 
     birth, and the work they do under this liberty is how they 
     earn their fortunes. To earn a fortune and be successful 
     under this freedom is what is known as the American Dream. 
     What few know, however, is that freedom is not a gift to all 
     humanity, but an exclusive to only some.
       It is thanks to the forethought of the founding fathers, 
     the continued cooperation of the United States Military, and 
     above all the passion of the people which keeps our freedom 
     alive today. However, this begs the question, what is 
     freedom, and what precisely does it mean?
       Freedom, to me, is not merely the ability to do as you 
     please, when you please, as long as it does not impose upon 
     others. Freedom is the lifeblood of humanity, what enables 
     man to live and prosper and change the World for the better. 
     Not everyone is gifted with such a thing, and some of the 
     idealists and geniuses and potential reformers of our 
     generation will not get a chance at this, and will live their 
     lives in oppression, cast aside by their governments as 
     another mere pawn in their machine of simple parts.
       Freedom manifests itself in every aspect of American life, 
     from the business you built up yourself, to the house you 
     own, to the education your children earn. Freedom is 
     business, the arts, what has allowed the United States to 
     develop a culture unlike any other. To such aforementioned 
     countries who lack the glorious endowment of liberty, our 
     United States, with its military towering high in our 
     defense, and fame, and above all, the ability for any mere 
     man to forge a life of empire-like status, is not only a 
     desirable place to be, but a utopia Where anything can 
     happen.
       And so, I ask of you, look at yourself, what you have, and 
     what you've done. Think for a moment of where you would be if 
     you were assigned to a life, told what to think, what to 
     feel, what to do. Would you be where you are? Would you have 
     what you've achieved? This distinction is freedom, and 
     freedom is the United States, its military, and its people.

             Eleni Finkelstein, 8th Grade, 3rd Place Winner

       Imagine coming to America from another country. You see a 
     flag billowing with pride in the front yard of a happy 
     family's house. The whole family was unique. Different 
     clothes, different hobbies, but they were all having a good 
     time. You begin to wonder why your family could not be happy 
     back home or have those smiles on their faces. Your life was 
     bland; a dry piece of toast, just like everyone else's. Then 
     you realized it was because you weren't given individuality. 
     To me, freedom means having the right to be an individual.
       In other countries, you don't always have the freedom that 
     we have in America. Often, you cannot dress how you'd like, 
     say what you'd like, or do what you'd like. There was no 
     uniqueness at all. Here in America though, we have that 
     ability to be me. I can proudly say that in America, I can be 
     me.
       Have you ever wanted to pursue an interest but you weren't 
     allowed? Your whole future could've been already planned if 
     you found a job using that special hobby! This situation may 
     happen continuously in other countries, but not in America! 
     America has the freedom to let you do what you want. There is 
     such a vast field of occupations you can work in here. You 
     don't have to be just a factory worker, or forced to go into 
     war. I could grow up and make a living out of the weirdest 
     job in the world, only because I have the freedom to do so.
       Now switch places for a moment. Instead of picturing you 
     coming to America, picture yourself leaving America to go to 
     war. Veterans are extremely grateful for the freedom we have 
     in our country because they know what it's like in other 
     countries. When they go to war in another country, they are 
     sometimes adapting to that country's life style for a small 
     amount of time. They turn into them. They may be forced to 
     act like everyone else in that country. They are simply a 
     replica of the person standing next to them, across from 
     them, all around them. Then, when they return back to 
     America, they get to experience the excitement all over 
     again. All of the freedom comes back to them. Once again, 
     they can say what they please, do what they please, and be 
     who they please. It is clearly shown that America has the 
     freedom that other countries don't because they can be who 
     they are.
       ``Individuals, with liberty and justice for all.'' These 
     are the words that ring on my head when I think of our 
     country. We really are the land of the free, because we can 
     be individuals.

             Emily Ostrander, 12th Grade, 1st Place Winner

       I have always been a fan of Veterans Day. Of course, this 
     is mostly because November eleventh happens to be my birthday 
     as well as a national holiday. But, I have continually 
     enjoyed and respected it for the appreciation and recognition 
     it bestows upon those who have made it their duty to protect 
     and serve this noble country. Freedom, to me, is the ability 
     to live peacefully, and be who you want to be, in a world 
     that is not very accepting.
       Without our armed forces, the idea of freedom would be 
     impossible. With no one to serve our country, fight our 
     battles, where would we be? I cannot imagine what life in 
     America would resemble if it were absent of freedom. It would 
     not be the America we know and care for if it were devoid of 
     liberty, justice, and independence. Both of my parents' 
     fathers served in the armed forces at some point in their 
     lives. My maternal grandfather served in the Korean War and 
     came back home with a bullet in his leg. Every year when he 
     calls me to wish me a happy birthday, I make sure to thank 
     him for that service and tell him that I am proud of him for 
     it. Thus, I am exceptionally grateful to the active military 
     and the veterans who have risked their lives for the sake of 
     freedom at this very moment, and in the past.
       Furthermore, serving in the military is the most 
     significant occupation in the world, yet it is also the 
     toughest. Copious amounts of U.S. citizens spend or have 
     spent massive amounts of time away from their families and 
     loved ones to carry out their obligations to this country. I 
     know I could by no means ever accomplish or begin to go 
     through what veterans and the active military have had to 
     undergo. I have enormous respect for those with the strength 
     and courage to join the armed forces, and they will forever 
     have my support and admiration for their achievements. 
     Because of these achievements, I am able to live freely and 
     peaceably whereas citizens in other countries may not be able 
     to live this way.
       Hence, I believe freedom is the idea that you have the 
     power to choose what and who you desire to be: you can decide 
     what to strive for and what to accomplish in life. However, 
     this free will is only achievable because of the work of the 
     active military and veterans. This immense, courageous, life-
     risking group of people deserve, have earned, this national 
     holiday to commemorate their successes and brave service to 
     the United States of America.

              Hope Barnstead, 12th Grade, 2nd Place Winner

       Freedom. Only seven letters, but together they create a 
     word with more power than any other found in the English 
     language. But how can such a commanding word be defined? The 
     beauty of this word is that it has countless definitions. 
     Freedom is the courage found in every active service member 
     as they start every day not knowing what is in store for 
     them. Freedom is seeing our American flag waving steadily in 
     the night, surrounded by a sky full of bombs. Freedom is

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     bowing your head in prayer at the park without fear of being 
     reprimanded. Freedom is the last pen to leave a trail of ink 
     for the final signature on the Declaration of Independence. 
     Freedom is living in America, the land of opportunity, where 
     we have the right to choose our own president amongst a world 
     full of tyrants. Throughout history freedom has always come 
     at a great price, starting in 1776, when the founding fathers 
     declared our independence from Great Britain. These men laid 
     their lives on the line to defend the belief that all men are 
     endowed with certain definitive and undeniable rights that 
     cannot be taken from them. From that time on, Americans have 
     stood united behind the idea that we are a nation of 
     individuals who are free to live in the absence of fear. 
     Since we value individuality and illuminate it through self 
     expression and self-government, we need not fear forced 
     conformity, and that is what makes America great. Freedom to 
     me is waking up every morning without apprehension. I don't 
     have to worry about being a woman and wanting an education. I 
     don't need to hide my religion from those around me because I 
     know I am free to worship as I please. I don't have to be 
     afraid of who will lead our country because we have a say in 
     who runs the United States of America. Without the 
     dedication, bravery, hard work, courage, strength, and 
     leadership of our nation's military and other service 
     members, this freedom may not have been sustained. It's hard 
     to imagine the feeling the soldiers felt as they walked into 
     concentration camps to liberate the living skeletons as the 
     stench of burning flesh filled the air around them. Who can 
     picture what is what like weaving through the jungles of 
     Vietnam as the soldiers were constantly on guard for any 
     Vietcong looking to take their lives? How can one come close 
     to feeling the absolute terror of the US army as they 
     traveled to Pakistan to take down the terrorizing Osama Bin 
     Laden? Our troops are willing to sacrifice their lives so we 
     can stay in a nation that lets us live ours. Franklin D. 
     Roosevelt once said, ``We, and all others who believe in 
     freedom as deeply as we do, would rather die on our feet than 
     live on our knees,'' and we are blessed enough to live in a 
     country that gives us that freedom.

                Adam White 12th Grade, 3rd Place Winner

       When you hear the word ``freedom,'' you might not have the 
     same definition of the word as the person right next to you. 
     All definitions of the word are similar in meaning, but all 
     are influenced by each of our own past history and ways of 
     thinking. I have thought extensively on this word's 
     definition, pondering on what ``freedom'' means to me, and I 
     now believe that freedom is the ability to live life normally 
     and enjoy it without the fear of oppression or harm.
       Many of us take this for granted. In other countries, their 
     citizens might not have this same luxury. We, as a nation, 
     are very lucky to live life like this. Unfortunately, it can 
     come with a heavy price. We have been able to live this way 
     only because we know that we are being protected by hard-
     working men and women who wish only to serve our nation. 
     These men and women are the members of the Armed Forces. Each 
     and every day, they risk their lives to protect ours no 
     matter where they are, whether they're in a small town in the 
     U.S. or a small town in the Middle East. They make sure that 
     nothing happens to us so that we can continue living the way 
     we do.
       However, as mentioned before, such a luxury comes with a 
     price. Some members of our active military are lucky enough 
     to return home with their lives, but some aren't. Yet this 
     has not stopped people from joining the military in the past 
     before. In World War II, when the world was threatened by one 
     of the most infamous leaders in history, did we surrender? We 
     did not, and hundreds of thousands of people were ready to 
     defend our country and what we believed in, even if it meant 
     traveling overseas, or being haunted by the gruesome memories 
     of war for the rest of their lives, or to die trying. Our 
     veterans faced these same consequences and have to hurdle 
     over the same obstacles, and that didn't stop them from doing 
     their duty. They protected us to make sure that we could 
     forever keep our freedom and our rights from the hands of our 
     enemies.
       We have much to thank of our veterans and of our active 
     military for their services to this country and for their 
     services to us. Without them, we would not have the same 
     freedoms as we do now. Our world would be completely 
     different without them. But thankfully they are here to save 
     us when we need them most. Thankfully, with these men and 
     women as our guardians, we can continue to live life normally 
     and enjoy it without the fear of oppression or harm.

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