America’s 250th Birthday

Dear Editor,
I am writing to tell you about why I am thankful for America. I am writing about one of our rights, our right to establish religion and gather together. This is important to me, and to our Founding Fathers. When they established this country, they set guidelines to protect our rights, including the right of our freedom of religion. They did this, I believe, so no one could force us to follow someone or something that is against our beliefs.
Every Sunday, I get to go to the church of my choice and worship my God. I also have the right to sing and pray in public. Worshiping and praying makes people happy and can lead them to Jesus. The 1st Amendment guarantees that we have the freedom of religion and gathering together. Our Founding Fathers intended to protect this freedom. This freedom makes it possible for me to make a difference in my community and my country. At this early stage in my life, I have had the privilege to serve others through Kingdom work. Serving on mission trips to New Orleans, Louisiana, decorating Christmas trees at nursing homes, volunteering to work at food banks and participating in prayer walks, were all possible because of this freedom. This freedom isn’t just something that’s important to me, our Founding Fathers imprinted on our money “In God we trust.” The freedom to establish religion and gather together, was one of the core values this nation was founded on.
I am thankful for this country and this freedom, although I understand it is very easy to get distracted and be forgetful that America is great. So, when you enjoy fireworks and hot dogs, on America’s 250th birthday , remember our freedom of religion and be grateful.
God Bless,
Cooper Ryann Hutchinson
11-year-old Concerned Citizen