"I was born an American.
I lived as an American and .
I shall die an American.".
These words were once spoken by Daniel Webster in "An American Without Reserve.".
To be a United States citizen is not only a privilege, but also an honor. Every day we have to make choices, and being a U.S. citizen we have the freedom to make these choices. It is through these choices that we show the countries that surround us the quality of our nation. The true test of our patriotism comes when the stakes are high, when the chips are down, when the decision you are about to make will show your true loyalties.
The associations we keep, the peers we choose, the mentors we seek, and the organizations we affiliate with, all help to define our patriotism. In the end we will be judged as a country, not as an individual.
Because this is a free country, terrorist were allowed to live among us, not knowing our language, not honoring our flag, or standing for our country. Because of American hospitality they were allowed to train as pilots in our country, which ultimately lead to the largest death toll on American soil in U.S. history.
Like many I am hurt by the terrorism of September 11, 2001. Innocent citizens from more than 80 nations were attacked and killed without warning or provocation in an act that horrified not only every American, but every person of every faith and every nation, who values human life. We need to rally together behind our flag and president to show our patriotism. This attacked has left many of our leaders speechless.
However, we can take some comfort in the words spoken by our president, George Bush just days after the attack.
"Tonight we are a country awakened to danger and called to defend our freedom. .
Our grief has turned to anger, and anger to resolution. Whether we bring our enemies to justice, or bring justice to our enemies, justice will be done.