"How Are You Showing
Patriotism and Support for Our Country?”
By Anna E. Horne
First Place Winner from
Fowlerville High School
It was the summer of
1976. Countrymen, young and old, crowded the streets of thousands of towns and
cities across the nation. Americans held more than 66,000 events from the
Pacific to the Atlantic, celebrating the growth and achievements of their
country, feelings of patriotism and nostalgia running higher than the flags
hoisted above the crowds. The citizens of America were united in the
celebration of theircountry’s bicentennial. Fiftyyears later, thosememories of unityand love for the red, white, and blue are now just
black-and-white photographs preserved behind glass. As we enter 2026, a new
reality must be confronted: how can newer generations of Americans once again
bring unity for the love of their country?
We live in an age where even patriotism is debated. Yet, patriotism is the blood coursing through every one-horse town and city,
keeping the country alive. Without it, we forget the countless Americans who
built this nation into what it is today. We cannot forget our veterans, who put
themselves in harm’s way to allow our country to flourish. Patriotism must not
be overlooked.
I first felt the
consequences of our nation failing to put America first last year while
listening to my Nana tell stories. On this day, she spokeof a brother I neverknew she had. Smiling, she described an energetic young Christian who never
cared much for school but cared deeply for his country—her older brother,
Phill. He dropped out of school to join the United States Marine Corps at just
17 years old. But her smile faded as she continued:
"In Vietnam,he secretly grew his hair out under bandages so that when he got back to California,
nobody would know he was a Marine from his shaved head. He was afraid he would
be spat on and chastised at the airport.”
I watched my Nana’s eyes well with tears as she concluded, "What a horribletime in my life, when Phill
came back…nobody welcomed him home or respected him, and he had bad
nightmares.”
This story changed my
mind set in ways I can hardly express. It was hard to fathom the giants of
patriotism—our selfless veterans—being disrespected so relentlessly. From that moment,I knew I had to pick up where my Uncle Phill left off.
First, I enrolled in an
educational program put on by the American Legion called Girls State, immersing
myself in the workings of government. Although I was elected to the House of
Representatives, I knew patriotism extended far beyond politics. My goal became
spreading awareness and appreciation for local veterans.Together with a friend, I designed a project to highlight their stories.
We are currently interviewing veterans about their experiences, advice, and
sentiments, and compiling these interviews into a video. We are going to share
our Veterans’ Awareness video with our local elementary and middle schools to
be shown on Veteran’s Day. Additionally, we will have the classes make notes
for the veterans to be handed out at the local VA Hospital.
As George Washington
said, "The name of American, which belongs to you, in your national
capacity, must always exalt the just pride of patriotism". I believe my
generation can carry that spirit forward, but only if we continue with
unapologetic and unrelenting patriotism. I am now the age my Uncle Phillwas when he joined the Marines, and I know that our nation’s strengthis a direct result of the
persistent dedication of our military and veterans. If my generation can follow
in the large footsteps left for us, and each take time to listen, to care, and
to serve, we can bring back the sense of pride that once filled the streets of
1976 and make it shine even brighter in 2026.
Past Voice of Democracy Winners
2025-2026 Anna E. Horne Fowlerville High School "How Are You Showing Patriotism and
Support for Our Country?”
2024-2025 Alyssa J. Seiter Fowlerville High School "Is American Today Our Forefathers' Vision?"
2023-2024 Morgan R.
Thomas Fowlerville High
School "What are
the greatest attributes of our Democracy?"
2022-2023 Ryen L.
Padilla
Linden High School "Why is The Veteran Important?”
2021-2022 Abigail
Thomas
Fowlerville High School "America: Where Do We Go From
Here?”
2020-2021 Jon
Tristan von Gunten Mason High School "Is This the Country the Founders Envisioned?”
2019-2020 Alex J. Wyrembelski Our Lady of the Lakes School "What Makes America Great”
2018-2019 Robert W.
Bilyk Fowlerville High School "Why My Vote Matters”
