The Shadow
The Curtis A. Smith Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 1033 in Covington has announced the winner of its annual Voice of Democracy essay contest.
Kiersten Smith, a senior at Alleghany High School, was recognized during the post’s annual Loyalty Day banquet held Sunday, Dec. 7, at the post home on Dolly Ann Drive.
The title of her essay was “Why America is the Greatest Country.”
Kiersten received a certifiacate and a $150 prize. Her essay was also eligible for District 6 competition, where she finished in second place. She also received a cash award on the district level.
Her essay is as follows.
Why America Is the Greatest Country
By Kiersten Smith
The United States of America is the land of the free and the home of the brave.
Many regard the U.S. to be the greatest country in the world, but what makes it the greatest when you compare it to the many others? To me, there is no one thing that can measure how great a country is. However, one of the major factors to take into consideration would be the opportunities that the citizens have, no matter what race, culture or gender.
This country has been my home for the entirety of my life, and the rights we have simply by being a citizen are unmatched. But freedom and rights have not always been easy to come by. Many had to fight and work for the rights they have now, and it’s hard to imagine still having to fight for freedoms you deserve.
To me, a U.S. citizen fighting to earn their rights shows that we strive to make the country the best it can be.
For women, it’s not hard to see that we have come a long way since the founding of this country.
From fighting to earn a spot in the workplace to fighting to vote, many of these rights were earned well before my time.
Women in other countries unfortunately do not have or will never have the opportunities that we do here. The rights and freedoms that this nation’s women have earned is the reason I believe that the United States ranks the greatest above all others.
My mother entered the U.S Air Force in 2000 and she served during 9-11 and the operation enduring freedom in Afghanistan. She supported operations, and served for four years.
She met my father while there, and I was born on Lackland Air Force Base in the Wilford Hall Medical Facility in 2002. My mother constantly tells me how the Air Force changed her life, and it is hard to imagine a country where women don’t have the right to serve their country in this way.
If my mother didn’t have the right to enter the U.S Air Force, she would have never served and met my father, meaning I would have never been born.
Currently, the United States has the highest percentage of women in the military. Looking at other countries, some women have little to no rights to serve their country. Countries such as Saudi Arabia only offer limited non-combat jobs open to women. Women have recently won the battle to fight in combat, which I think is a giant leap forward.
Another factor that the United States offers is that women can attend traditionally all male post secondary schools.
This is very important to me, since it opens up more options for my future education.
One example would be the Virginia Military Academy, which is one of the major schools in which I will be applying to this year. Having these opportunities open makes me feel like I am able to truly live free, in a country that encourages you to chase the American Dream and live how you decide.
In conclusion, there is no other country as truly free as the United States. There are numerous opportunities for me and the women of America to serve our country and fight for our freedoms.
This is why I believe America is, without a doubt, the greatest country in the world.
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Kiersten Smith, center, a senior at Alleghany High School, was the winner of the annual Voice of Democracy essay contest, sponsored by the Curtis A. Smith Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 1033. She received a certificate and a $150 award from the post. Her essay was also eligible for district competition, where she finished in second place. At left is Paul Linkenhoker, post chaplain; and at right is Carl Johnson, post commander. (Photo Courtesy VFW Post 1033)
