KidNews
What America means ...

• Some words from the keiki

By Catherine E. Toth
Advertiser Staff Writer

School children are expressing American pride across the nation. At an elementary school near the Pentagon, in Arlington, Va., first-graders have hung up a flag that they themselves created. Associated Press

America means different things to different people.

And to young people and teens around the Islands, America meant anything from a freedom-protecting democracy to a place where you can eat whatever flavor of ice cream you want.

We asked younger 'Ohana readers to submit their thoughts on what America meant to them. And the responses were overwhelming.

Teachers mailed us thick manila envelopes full of neatly written letters. Teens e-mailed their thoughts. Parents sent in their children's poetry and drawings.

Though America meant something different to each person, one common thread tied their thoughts and emotions together: Patriotism.

"To me, America is my home," wrote Darren Santos, a fifth-grader from Lunalilo School. "A country with laws to protect us from getting hurt. I'm also proud that I'm an American, working hard in my life to pursue my happiness and freedoms."

Added classmate Sherilyn Kong-Brezee: "America is the only place I want to be. If you come to America, you have your own liberties, dreams and goals to follow. In America, you can work hard, do your best and get a good education."

The Sept. 11 terrorist attacks in New York and Washington affected kids and teens in more than 4,000 miles away in Hawai'i.

"When America hurts, I hurt," wrote Cameron Kakuda, a fifth-grader from 'Aina Haina Elementary School. "I love America. It's my home."

Kids drew pictures of the World Trade Center, smoke, fire, the American flag, blue skies and rainbows.

One sixth-grader from Cathedral School, Haililani Pokipala, mailed in color copies of photos of her recent visit to the World Trade Center's twin towers in New York CIty.

"I remember how windy and scary it was when I stood atop one of the towers of the World Center because it was so high," she wrote. "Now, I see on television a scarier sight. The two towers are collapsed on the ground. I feel very blessed that I was there at a time of peace."

And even with pictures of burning buildings and smoky streets, the responses were positive, even hopeful for a better future for Americans.

"We are all shocked (about) what happened on that one morning," wrote Joseph Flores, a third-grader at Koolau Baptist Academy, with a pencil-and-crayon drawing of the New York City skyline with two planes heading toward the twin towers; an American flag wave stands tall in the middle. "But yet we're all still very strong. We'll never let go of our country and we will never ever forget. I feel terrible (about) what happened. God bless America, my home sweet home."

With an American flag and a smiley-faced Statue of Liberty, Theresa Chen, a third-grader from Kauluwela School wrote: "America is important to me because America is my country. All the people are equal ... We all live in America. We shall treat America as like a friend. The people can't destroy the USA."

The images don't fade away quickly. An airplane crashing into the World Trade Center. The Pentagon crushed. Firefighters with sad, smoky faces pulling debris from the rubble. Mothers sobbing.

But those scenes haven't taken all hope and happiness away.

"America is my home and it's like my heart and when the tragedy happened it was like a part of my home and my heart was destroyed," wrote Caitlin Lum, a fourth-grader at Epiphany School. "America is one big family working together to make the world a better place."

Added her classmate Alyssa-Rae Mita: "When bad things happen, America feels bad, sad and angry because innocent people were killed. Even if some builders built the building back up, I would still be sad and have a broken heart. Because building the buildings again doesn't bring back innocent people's lives."

Some found it easier to express their emotions through poetry. And even in this form, patriotism and positiveness flowed.

Sixteen-year-old Charlene Shovic from Manoa e-mailed part of a longer poem she had been writing since the attack: (an excerpt)

"We're lucky

lucky to live here

lucky to be alive

lucky to be American.

Let America make use of its glory, power, people

Let us help all those whose only wish

is to be in our shoes.

Let us all, in America,

in the world, make it all OK."

Courtney Gaddis, a 12-year-old student at La Pietra Hawaii School for Girls, titled her poem "Here We Stand": (an excerpt)

"This incident has brought us close

And we're still hoping for the most

Here we stand once again

And we will stay here till the end."

Kaylin Laeha, a seventh-grader at Sacred Hearts Academy, also remained positive despite the circumstances: (an excerpt)

"After all the tragedy

America holds proud and true

Shaken, but Ready."

And even the younger poets strung together their feelings, in the simplest of ways.

Raelyn Schaefer, a third-grader at Waikiki School wrote in bold, black letters in the lines of an American flag:

"America shining big and bright

America will stand and fight

America is the land of the free

America is the place to be

America, red, white and blue

America, I love you."

Because patriotism can be as simple as that.

Some words from the keiki

America means I have the freedom to camp out on a starry night and find the Big Dipper.

Just as it says in our name, we are the United States of America, and we will get through this horrible tragedy together, united as one nation.

On Sept. 11, 2001, America awoke to disaster. Flames roared and smoke and ashes choked the skies. Our Nation cried together, a tear fell from every eye and rolled down every cheek. But America is strong. We stand stronger than any nation. Maybe that can shake our cities to the ground, but this country will not budge because America is made of more than just brick and steel. America is built with bravery, freedom, justice and liberty, and no one can conquer that. America is my country and I am proud to be an American. May God bless America!

Different people.

Different foods.

Different clothes.

Different religions.

One heart.

One love.

One strength.

One country.

America, home to all.

America means I can listen to my 'Nsync and Destiny's Child CDs whenever I want.

Just as it says in our name, we are the United States of America, and we will get through this horrible tragedy together, united as one nation.

America means I can play my Playstation and Nintendo 64 on my big, soft and cozy bed and enjoy a nice cold drink.

America is ...

A place my great grandparents came to, to find a better life

A country that my grandma and grandpa were born into and worked hard to have a good life

A land of opportunity that gave my parents an education and a job

Freedom that lets me do things like take swim lessons, ride my bike, play soccer, take piano lessons, and eat pizza whenever I want

A nation that cares for people and helps others

A land of many different people, cultures, and religions that must work together as one nation

America is my home.

America means I can sing "God Bless America" in the shower without being arrested.

No one will break the heart of a true American.

I love America

Red, White and Blue

America the beautiful

A salute to you.