Editor, Gazette-Journal:

My father was a patriot. He was a Boy Scout and a veteran and he was active in his community. When I was young, he would take my siblings and me to fife and drum reenactments near Boston. He wanted to teach us that we were American, and that it was something to be proud of. One of my father’s heroes was John F. Kennedy. Kennedy said, “Ask not what your country can do for you, but what you can do for your country.” 

I like to think that I, too, am a patriot. I am not just proud to be an American, I am grateful. I am grateful that I have freedom of religion and the right to believe in a God of my own understanding. I am grateful that I have the freedom to live where I choose, I am grateful that I live in a country where I have the freedom to say what I want, even in the face of opposition. My father also taught me that if I didn’t have anything nice to say, I shouldn’t say anything at all. 

Recently, I took part in a conversation in which another individual expressed anger about what is happening in our country. “Everybody should be angry!” I do not agree. Anger comes from fear. I want to be part of a process where I can help to make things better. 

I do not want to be afraid. I want to take action. I have the right to vote for elected officials and to vote for or against laws that seem reasonable to me. I can choose, because I have the freedom, to be part of the solution or to be part of the problem. I understand that united we stand, and that divided we fall. We should be working with each other, not against each other. I know for sure that we should not stand still and do nothing.

The other day, in a different conversation, a co-worker told me that she doesn’t know if it makes a difference whether she votes or not. I believe that it does. The butterfly effect is the concept that small causes can have large effects, that a single occurrence, even the smallest one, can change the course of the universe forever. I believe that the flame of a single candle can light up the darkest room.

As citizens we have the privilege to participate, as good citizens, we have the responsibility to be engaged and to protect our freedom.

Winona R. Pearson

Hayes, Va.