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Show I t pa..r 20 - UINTAH BASIN STANDARD. November 20. 2001 "Let Freedom Ring," essay contest winners announced Over 55 essays were submitted to the Let Freedom Ring essay contest. Last week a panel of judges read each submission and named nine winners. Three winners were chosen for the 9 to age division, because the only entry received in the 17 and older age division did not meet essay criteria, six winners were seage lected in the 13 to division. The winning essays will be published in the Uintah Basin Standard over the next few weeks. Each winner received a pair of tickets to the Roosevelt Theatres. The contest was by the Uintah Basin Medical Center Literacy Committee and the Uintah Basin Standard. Mahon Yazzie Let Freedom Ring By Mahon Yazzie, 1st place 13-1- 6 On Sept. 11, our country was shocked to sec that we were not immune from terrorism. It was the first time that our country came to a stand still and all you can hear was the repeat of the terror within our country on the news. This action mad the citizens of the United States realize the constant danger of being targeted for the many deeds our country is involved in. Citizens became more patriotic, assisted in ways to make a difference and thechurch attendance increased. In doing so we presented to the world a country that would stand together and defend our homeland no mutter what issues are facing us. This was not the only time our countiy has been to battle to defend what we believe in, there was the World Wars where the patriots fought for freedom of democracy. Followed by many wars with other countries as well as conflicts within the borders of the United States. The lost conflict was Desert Storm where we became involved in assisting another country to protect their freedom and homelands. Through all these conflicts our service men and women have taken the oath to uphold the constitution so that we Americans can continue to live the life that we tiave. Little do we understand the sacrifice they make or the effect a family has when one is lost. We observe special days honoring these individuals, but there is very little participation in them. For to meny it is a day for fishing, hunting, relaxing, or just another day on the calender. I asked myself why weren't people interested in honoring such individuals, considering our past battles as well as the sacrifice these individuals made. It was not until my brother's graduation from the Marines that my family and I realized the true meaning of patriotism. To see the new marines out in the parade deck dressed in their dress blues moving in union and standing proud made me feel honored to see such ceremony. They were proud of becoming a man and the oath they took before going through training meant more to them now then the words they repeated the first day. When the announcer acknowledged the past Marines, many stood up to be recognized. As I looked around I saw men who were grandfathers to the young newly graduated Marine standing proud. I stood there with a lump caught in my throat trying to hold back my tears of appreciation I felt for them and the protection they made me feel at that moment. As the ceremony continued, I began to think of all the battles we as Native Americans fought to protect our families, our home, and tradition. I realized that many of our young warriors sacrificed their life to fight for what they believed in. In fact the Native Americans fought for America before they became citizens. One example was the Navqjo Code talkers who were recruited from the Dine Nation to assist in the World War II. Many of these men did not speak English, nor had they ever been away from their familiar homelands, but they agreed to assist the United States and uphold the Constitution. They did this because they believed that their homeland and families were also being attacked and they needed to be protected. Their sacrifice went unnoticed until President Regan initiated the recognition in 1988. They were not the first code talkers that were used in conflict but they are the ones I am familiar with. I realize there are many tribes into the armed services to protect what they believe in. They will continue to serve as long as they have families, homelands, and a country needing to be protected. This is the Native American way. As I sat there watching the release of the new Marines, I watched my brother walk proudly toward us, noticing that gone is the child of yesterday but replaced by a man who was prepared for the world. If needed he would go willingly to battle to protect his countiy, as well as his family and people. By attending this particular ceremony, the words to Pledge Allegiance meant more to me than it ever had. As did the words of the Declaration oflndependence my sixth grade teacher challenged us to memorize. It made me feel proud to be a Native American and to be a citizen of a grout country. I feel pride to watch the raise of Old Gloiy in many places after our country was targeted and to feel the true meaning of Let Liberty Ring. should be a little kinder to people we are know, and to the twgcre we I it think is time. first the for meeting the important for us to appreciate freedoms we enjoy, yet to realize that others have their own traditions and culture. Those beliefe need to be reto be an spected, also. I am proud American. I appreciate those who have' fought for our freedoms in the who past, and I am grateftil to those freedoms our to are fighting preserve action reflect our gratitude and lay ally to those people and this country, let us be willing to rise and meet the crisis that we now face. May freedom ears, let us do as ring loudly in our wrote and mutuThomas Jefferson ally pledge to each other, and this "our great United States of America,sacred our and Fortunes our Lives, Honor. I., i Let Freedom Ring by Sydnee Morrie, 9 grade, ' i m : Shaun Allred Drew Gilley Fire of Freedom American Pride Shaun Allred, 9th grade let place By Drew Gilley, 9th greade Just over 200 years ago, there was 2nd place an idea that was beginning to form in the minds of the thirteen colonies of Blood, sweat, pain and fields America. There seemed to be a great painted red with the lives of those need for the people of these colonies who have died to obtain our freeto spread their wings. The weight of doms, these are the things that make England seemed to be pressing down our freedoms the way tliey are today. and crushing those under her rule. But these freedoms arent handed Words like freedom and independence out for free. We as a country must were becomingcommon. There comes stay strong and defend our freedoms a time when all young ones must test so fiiture generations of America can the water for themselves. That time eryoy the same freedoms that we enhad arrived for America. joy today, and so our country may The Americans began to fight remain a free country for the years to against the demands of England. The come. King of England saw this as rebelPeople in America have a rare oplious and ungrate fill. The more the portunity. We have the privilege to king tried to bring the colonies under experience freedom. We can express control, the more they fought back. our opinion in public, even if those we King George was certain that he could are speaking to think otherwise. We send over some troops, fight a few can vote for those people we think battles, and bring the Amencansback will make the right decisions for our to their right mind. However, the fire nation. We as people of the United of freedom had been lit in the hearts States can chooee in all decisions we of the American people. They would make in our life. But to keep all of not fall back, pull back, or pull out. these freedoms available to our counThus, the Revolutionary War began. try, we must pull together and stay The price of freedom did not come strong in all trials that are thrown in cheap. The Americans suffered de- our direction. feat time and time again. Just as it Throughout the last couple of seemed that all was lost, somewhere months, because of certain terrorist from down deep inside, came the de- attacks, our country has been pushed termination to carry on. The need for to its limits in protecting our freefreedom burned stronger than all else. doms. By protecting our freedoms we These ambitious men and women are also letting others know that we would give anything, even life itself, wont stop practicing our freedoms, for liberty and justice. They sacri- no matter what others try to do to ficed their time, means, and com- stop us firomeryqying these freedoms. forts. No price was too high to pay. Also by protecting our freedoms, They believed the Almighty was on , people bf the UJ3. have developed a their aide and would, in the long rtiri, greater love for their freedoms and see them through. And He did. rights. We as a people have also beEverything we enjoy today is a gun to treat law enforcement personresult of what these early Americana nel with the greater respect they willingly gave their lives for . The comBy doing these things our counforts and what of life that are so try becomes stronger and our freecommon to us are a debt we can never doms keep increasing. Since the violent terrorist attacks repay. Because of a dream that would not die, those struggling little colo- that we as a nation went through on nies have grown into the most power-fi- ll September 11, we as a people have nation on earth. We, as Ameri- pulled together to form one perfect cans, are free to choose our way of union. We also keep pursuing the life. We worship who, when, and if we idea that as a union we are a stronger choose. We wander about this vast people than we would be if divided. country without fear of persecution, As we grow to be a more perfect unipn, discrimination, of governmental in- we have also been more united in timidation. that we dont look ao much at what Let us never forget those who were political party a person is in anywilling to spread their wings and pay more. But we look more at what that the price for the freedoms we eryoy. individual can do to improve our May every word we speak and every emment as a whole, We al country have shown that we have unity in all things that we do, e. - .. low-profi- ft cutterbar. le 1 Five new models, with five different cutting widths from 8-f- to eet 14-fe- P i j of streaking. j f - e nf. x . et Center disk rotation means less chance Full-leng- r,i' 3 years Choice of impeller, steel rolls, or urethane rolls, depending on the model. . On New John Deere Mower Off of Conditioners expires December 31st, 2001 722-367- 9 OR I B West Hwy. 40 place Nicholai Velimrovie ws realize how great all these things are until we look at someone without them and how they spend the whole day working for enough money to provide for their families. After the terrorist attacks 1 believe that the poople in America have changed. They are more willing to do bethings for othere than they were fore. I think it hit a lot of people pretty hard that something could tohappen and they could be gone morrow. I believe we all need to live our lives to the fullest and not always say, "Ill do it tomorrow because tomorrow may never come. to get along are working hard together to get different things done. Even though the attacks hurt America, I think it has changed for the better. I like the saying, America isnt a country; America lives in us, because I think that is exactly true. America wasnt beaten unless we decided it was and we surrendered. Instead we open school every Monday with the Pledge of Allegiance. The same with all sporting events. I think this shows the rospoct for our country and how we truly honor it and love the freedom that we eryoy here. Most people in this country would go to war for our country and die trying to keep the freedom for tho people living in thia country. This definitely shows how much we all appreciate this freedom to worship and to speak and to bear arms. I dont think many people during September went a day without thinking will we keep our freedom, will we fight back, and what would happen if we ever lost our freedom? President George Bush was definitely the President to be elected at this time. He is showing great courage and strength being a great leader and doing the best he can do for his country. He is truly a remarkable man and I thing more and more people notice that as our war against Afghanistan continues. Over the last couple of months I think respect for firemen and police officers has increased. People are realizing what would happen if they weren't there that day. What would happen if they weren't there for us now and what great deal of work they have done that had been left unnoticed until now. Deep gratitude has been given to them in ways they probably never thought would happen. I see messages on signsall over the US. right now saying God Blass America, Let Freedom Ring and commercials on television United We Stand. All of these show how much people care right now and how delicate the situation is for them, especially those who lost loved ones in these several attacks. I think they to be comforted and told that everything will be alright and they will be able to one day move on with their lives and have confidence and strength to do the things they were doing before this happened. As we go throughout this war dropping food to the innocent people in that countiy, I think this is just one more way we are expressing our love and gratitude toward other people shows that we do not mean any de living there. I think if anything the people there are grateful to us for trying to help them and trying to be so careful not to hurt them as we look on for Bin Laden and the Talaban. Aa Americans there are several ways we can let freedom ring iaour daily lives! I think it has to be a daily message we carry in our hearts. We 23rf Annual Santa's Workshop "HANDMADE CRAFTS" By Area Artists! Vernal Middle School 721 W. 100 S.-Ver- nal Friday, November 23rd 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday, November 24th 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. .QUIP 00-535-BIG Be humble, for the wont thing in the world is of the same stuff you. glassdrain plug. Exclusive shearhiib cutterbar protection. f as you; be confident, for the stars are of the same stuff as !aei cutterbar lubrication with sight th of tragedy we are living with I At the very least, as citizens in t USA, we can all remember those who have obtained our freedoms, and especially show our respect to those that are on the front lines defending our country. We also need to stay united as a people in respecting our freedoms. Also keep in mind that by abiding by the laws of our government, we can keep our freedoms for fiiture generations. i i 2T4 I think that this countiy is truly unique in many ways. There are things hero that people in other places in the world can only dream about. Homes, foodjobs, school. I dont think ; e patented '&. Sydnee Morris es New, ' - Sanfa will be there Saturday from Roosevelt, Utah 1-- 4 p.m. GcofTry Lemon Our Fearless Hearts of Freedom By Geoffrey Lemon, 9th grade 3rd place of such great perplexity, things of deep thought, but the one that stands clear and above them all ia Freedom. Freedom that reigns in the hearts of everyone. The freedom lingers in some waiting to burst free. From birth we have had it but there will be some to take it away. Thats why we must preserve it. The beginning ofour freedom haa been since birth. We have always had the freedom to think. In this peat land of America we have been given more. We have the freedom to choose and do what ia best for us and our fellow man We have been given thia and many more of ua do not know the frill importance ofit. Men and women have died to bring forth our freedom.' They have died so you and I have the liberty to chooee. As Patrick Henry once said, Give me liberty or give me death. Thanks to those men and women who began this puahfor freedom. Thanks to those who have accomplished it Thanks to those who began freedom's spread and of its blessings towards everyone. These blessings that we have been blessed with have been preserved through the sweat and blood of men and women who have fought and died for such a worthy and noble cause. To sustain this freedom of ours. To pass these blessings on to their children. We have faced Civil War, World Wars, a Korean War, a Vietnam War, and a Persian Gulf War. In all of this we have spread the blessings of freedom. As an example we have changed the world. As a nation we have changed the way we live. There are some though, who would wish to deprive us of this wonderful blessing that we have. Never in the history of our nation since the War of 1812 have we been attacked and violated on our mainland. We are a peacefid people but whenever we are threatened and our freedom threatened we rise up to the challenge. We surpass whatever may befall us. We unite to the sustaining of our freedom. We will fight whatever foe triea to invade our righta. We will not sit quietly or stand by watching. We are a united people in a united purpose to let Freedom ring in every ear. To not let anyone take it away. We stand with our heads held high carrying forth the torch of Freedom. Freedom will stand in this land. It will offer help to those in need, but whatever shall come against it shall be destroyed. For who can stand against something as great as Freedom. Now as I'm finished staring into the doep blue sky I see the foil picture. Ive seen what has been given for this land and ita freedom. I will not forget what hag been done for me. I pry that you will not forget either. We must stand together. We will join as Americans to fight whatever lies ahead. Freedom will stand and rise for all to see. Freedom will be sustained for the people of the world. Dont let anyone forget it. Let freedom burn in you heart and do what we can ao that everyone may have it. Carry forth the torch of freedom. Most importantly Let Freedom Ring in Our Fearless Hearts Of Freedom. Continued on page 21 |