Local residents share why they are proud to be Americans

Drafted into the Army, served a tour in Vietnam where I was involved in heavy combat. Received this nation’s second highest combat award, the Silver Star. Came home to a country in turmoil over the conflict. What makes me proud of that? The rights we, as Americans, have to voice our opinions for or against our government’s actions.
Larry D. Stevenson
Veterans of Foreign Wars and American Legion member

I am proud to be a American because I am free to worship God in public.
Vanessa Hoover
Sedalia

I am proud to be an American, because of the sacrifices we make for each other’s freedom. I am married to the Air Force. My husband is a member of our U.S. military, and we are happy to sacrifice for the safety and well-being of others.
Rachael Kosal
Sedalia

I pride myself on being an American because I am able to speak my opinions freely, without persecution from the government. This allows me to have a voice, and I continue to have this voice even if my ideas or opinions are not popular or are offensive to some people.
Justin Grandfield
Sedalia

I don’t need 50 words, all I need is one — FREEDOM! Freedom to read, freedom to speak, freedom to believe — freedom to make decisions about how I live my life. I may make good or poor decisions but they are mine to make — I am the architect of my life.
Mary Ann Bedwell
Sedalia

I am proud not only for my freedoms and the men and women who voluntarily defend those freedoms, but also for the diverse natural beauty of majestic mountains, mystic deserts, national parks, grand canyons, waterfalls, caves, lakes, rolling prairie, ancient Sequoia and Redwood trees. “From sea to shining sea.” My country.
Fayrene Mayes
Sedalia

America is where we enjoy God-given unalienable rights which were won and defended by the blood of American heroes. America is faith that provides the moral order that ties our “free” America to the next generation and is the last flickering flame of liberty for a world in turmoil.
Pat Franken
Sedalia

As the son of immigrants, educated in our great systems, I was honored to serve in the U.S. Navy during the second great war, honored to be educated in our basic and university systems. I then became a worker, teacher and administrator. Where but in the USA?
Edwin Y. Wheeler
Stover

Rather than proud, I prefer to say I am blessed and thankful to be an American. Our Bill of Rights gives fundamental liberties and forbids the government to violate them.
Thank God and our brave military men and women for my freedom to worship, speak, assemble, etc.
Barbara Schulz
Sedalia

The soldier, the volunteer, the ones behind the flag. The ones who fell so we could stand, take our place on the land and stand behind the flag.
Stand behind the flag with the Lord by your side. Stand behind the flag and honor the ones who’ve died.
Robert L. Hicks
Sedalia

In God we trust. Our forefathers founded our nation on that precept. I am proud of that, our flag, our military, our beautiful country, our rights, our freedoms, our right to vote for the candidate of our choice. I am proud to be an American. In God we trust.
Mable Fowler
Sedalia

Remember feet hardly touching the floor, while sliding out of your seat, hand over heart saying “I pledge allegiance to the flag” ... those unknown words?
But proud.
Now 70 years later, standing, choked with emotion as the crowd, for a moment in time, makes us proud to be an American.
Lela M. Merrell
Sedalia

Following are submissions from members of the Boys & Girls Clubs of West Central Missouri:

I love being in America. America is a fun place to live in. Everybody loves to be in America. We love our country because we have our freedom.
Damen
Third grade

Because I can go to school. Because we got food.
Sadiya
First grade

I am proud to be an American because we have homes and we have schools. We have all the things that we need. And we have foods to eat like chicken, Denny’s, stuff like that. We have family and brothers and sisters.
Lennyn
First grade

I’m proud to be an American because our basketball team won the Olympics. I can have friends that are from different countries and states.  Also I live in a free country because military soldiers fight for our right.
Kardell
Third grade

I am free.  Another reason is because the war isn’t going on in my front and back yard and I’m free to go outside. The next reason is that other kids can’t tell me what to do, like doing their homework or getting them things and stuff like that.
Jacob
Third grade

It is fun to be in America. America is a nice place to be on Earth. I love being in America. America has every thing you need. America is fun. America is free. You could have lots of friends. You could have anything.
Haden
Fourth grade

Because America is a free country. And that it is not racist. Also that we have many animals in the country.  And that my family is here in America.
Herbert
Fourth grade

Because I get a family. I get to eat. I get to live in houses.
Lindsey
First grade

We can go to other parts of this country to see other state fairs. I can root for my favorite football team without anyone else telling me I can’t. I can be a Razorback fan and live in Missouri. You get to go to school whether you have money or not.
Jeremy
First grade