Grier wins local VFW essay contest

JAQUETTA M. GRIER

VFW Post 2776 of Millen recently sponsored "Patriot's Pen Essay Competition." Middle school students could enter by submitting a 300 to 400-word essay on "Why I am an American Patriot." Eighth grader Jaquetta Grier was a local winner.

"Why I am an

American Patriot"

By Jaquetta M. Grier

Why am I an American patriot? I get asked that question a lot since the terrorists' attacks on Sept. 11, 2001. I checked the dictionary for a meaning of the word "patriot." I found that patriots love their country. Using this definition, it was easy to respond, "I love my life in America because Americans have freedom of expression." We may speak our minds in any way, shape or form. There are places in the world where this is not possible.

When I think of freedom of expression, I think of three people who have exercised this freedom to the fullest. They are Steven Spielberg, Brian De Palma and Alfred Hitchcock. All three men are highly respected professionals in the film industry.

Steven Spielberg is arguably one of the most successful filmmakers of all time. His movie, "Schindler's List," was based on the real-life story of a man who tried to save people during the Holocaust. If Spielberg had lived in Germany during Hitler's military career, the movie director probably would have been silenced and killed, and his talents would have been lost to the world. Living in America, Mr. Spielberg has had the opportunity to make a fortune telling amazing stories without fear of censorship or death.

A contemporary of Spielberg's is Brian De Palma. Although De Palma is less popular, he is the talented director who brought to the screen "Casualties of War," a film about marines in Vietnam who behaved badly and abused their power. In some countries, no one is allowed to speak out against the government. But, in America, we are permitted to discover and share all kinds of information - again, without fear of censorship or death.

The third director is Alfred Hitchcock. A celebrated Hitchcock film is "Psycho." The main character in this movie is Norman Bates, a man dressed like a woman who kills people. I don't think the government in Iraq would permit such a film to be made. But, in America, this movie was a huge box-office hit that made millions of dollars.

I love good movies. Having the right to choose what I want to watch, whenever I want to watch it, is a privilege that I greatly cherish. Without freedom of speech and freedom of expression, my big-screen viewing time would not be nearly as much fun. This is why I love my life in America. It's the best!