photo by: AdobeStock

Every birthday celebration should include a few thoughtful words. At least, that was our thinking as America prepared to celebrate its 250th birthday.

The Journal-World — and our contest sponsor Farmers State Bank — asked readers to tell us in 100 words or less what America means to you. Readers delivered, and you can read dozens of selected responses below.

Just like America, there was good variety in the responses, and the ones published below provide good examples of the differences. However, there genuinely was a common theme of what is still possible in America rather than what seems unattainable.

The Farmers State Bank is providing a $250 Downtown Lawrence gift certificate to one reader who participated in the contest. With the help of a random number generator, the entry of Lawrence resident Gary Boyer was selected as the winner. While randomness played a role in Boyer’s selection, his entry included thoughtfulness, nonetheless. And, impressively, it is exactly 100 words long. Here’s the entry from Boyer:

“America is an idea, not a language, nor a race, not even a geographical boundary. In trying to live up to the idea, we fall short; but as long as America exists, the idea lives!

And if you stand on the cliffs of Normandy, look out over all of those graves.

When the sun begins to set, and the bugler walks out and begins playing Taps, the notes float over the graves. No matter where you are from, if you have a soul, the hair rises on the back of your neck, and in that moment, you are an American!”

Below you can read more thoughts from Journal-World readers. Thank you to all who entered, and thank you to everyone who takes a moment to read. From the Journal-World, best wishes for a happy and safe Independence Day.

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America means to me opportunities, and freedom.

Ana Cedillo,

Lawrence

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America means waking up each morning, knowing that men and women gave their lives for your freedom. It’s having a home where you feel safe and can control the climate. It’s knowing you have the freedom to live your life the way YOU want to. It means that as a 50 year old woman, I can own a thriving Small Business and our children can benefit from public education, and play the sports they choose. Being in America means we have the opportunity to know and learn other cultures daily, in the melting pot we call home.

Angie Ward,

Lawrence

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No Kings.

Brian Moss,

Lawrence

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America is a beautiful bargain. It offers us the chance of freedom for the chore of governance.

Chad Lawhorn,

Eudora

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Freedom, peace and getting together with friends and family.

Carlene Blackburn,

Lawrence

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It means FREEDOM. Freedom to live where I want, to live without fear, to have opportunities, and to prosper at my own will. America is HOME and Contentment.

Darrell Mooney,

Lawrence

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America, to me, represents the promise of opportunity and the strength of diversity. It is a place where people from all walks of life can pursue their dreams and contribute their unique voices. Freedom and resilience are at its core, allowing innovation and creativity to flourish. The ideals of equality and justice inspire hope, even when challenges arise. America is a land of vast landscapes and vibrant communities, where perseverance and compassion define its spirit. It is not perfect, but it is a nation always striving towards a brighter, more inclusive future for all who call it home.

Jacob Cockerill,

Lawrence

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America would not be America without the Founding Fathers. These men and often their wives risked financial ruin, personal safety, often times enduring humiliation and great bodily harm. They risked everything to form the foundation of this great nation. We owe them a huge debt of gratitude for their bravery, their tenacity,

and their unwavering desire to form a true democracy. We must do all in our power to preserve their legacy and the democracy that they gave their all for‼️

Janet Grant,

Lawrence

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America means people that work together — opportunities for education and business ideas for everyone — even if it takes awhile for those opportunities for certain people. A democracy that has worked for 250 years!

Jim Buchheister,

Lawrence

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America from 250 years ago has been a moment of history with each day and month and year. The history astounds me and keeps me wanting to learn more.

Marilyn Zwirek,

Galveston, Texas

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A LOT. I want it to go back to the pre-Trump administration era when America really was the best. We have to move forward for the better of the people and I hope we will get there someday for this country that deserves it.

Katie Sherwood,

Lawrence

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From the countless conversations I’m part of, America reads to me less like a finished place than an ongoing argument — restless, self-correcting, loud, unfinished. It’s the audacity of writing “we hold these truths” and then spending centuries fighting over who “we” includes. Freedom and inequality, idealism and cynicism, held in the same hand. What strikes me most is the refusal to treat the experiment as settled.

Lance Brown,

Lawrence

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America began on the premise of Unadulterated Freedom for All. Although many have had to fight for those given freedoms, we’ve prevailed. WE have prevailed. With that, American means to me that the collective WE can and will overcome all strains and obstacles to be One United Front for Freedom. One Nation, indivisible for our future.

LeRoy Crumet

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Think about America and realize that America exists despite its mistakes to become the nation of nations. The name itself came about from a misreading of a map by Amerigo Vespucci. Columbus didn’t realize what he had found on his initial voyage seeking Asia. He stumbled on islands in the Caribbean.

Our first attempt at governing, the Articles of Confederation, was a mistake. We realized it and replaced it with our Constitution. Our mistakes neither limit nor define us. We use them to adapt and become better.

Sometimes divided, as in our Civil War, we find we can rejoin and be better. We emerge from division stronger and wiser. Our country continues to grow as a country from many people, defined by justice and fairness. Our country will continue to be a land of hope with a chance to succeed.

Matt Fearing,

Eudora

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America is the aspiration of our founding principles, the rights of all people to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.

Erin McDaniel,

Lawrence

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We enjoy the freedom we get in every big or small decision making process.

Ranu Pal,

Mukilteo, Washington

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Whereas in 1976, our Bicentennial celebrated accomplishment for surviving 200 years, our Semiquincentennial needs to celebrate caution for our future survival. We need to make a serious effort to improve our understanding of our Constitutional freedoms and how valuable they are. Heads up, folks.

Malcolm Lodwick,

Lawrence

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America means opportunity, freedom, and hope to me. As a Mexican immigrant who became an American citizen, I am grateful for the chance to build a better life through hard work and education. America is a country where dreams can come true if you are willing to work for them. It is a land of brave people who value freedom, respect, and the rule of law. I have met many caring and generous people here, and I am proud to call America my home. America also values freedom of religion and speech, financial opportunities, and creativity, which encourage innovation, personal growth, and success. Becoming a citizen is one of the greatest honors of my life.

Maria Rojas,

Lawrence

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A place to live with your family and friends.

Russell Matney,

Baldwin City

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America is and has always been a work in progress. Each day is an ongoing effort to live up to the ideals of liberty, equality, and opportunity, and some days we do better than others. As a melting pot of cultures, backgrounds, and perspectives, America’s diversity is its greatest strength and something to be celebrated. While our history and present are imperfect, our willingness to confront challenges and strive for something better is part of who we are. America is not flawless, but it is worth caring for and improving.

Sarah Stacy,

Lawrence

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To me, being American means believing in the possibility of growth, freedom, and shared responsibility. America is not perfect, but it represents the idea that people from many different backgrounds can come together and build a common future. It means valuing individual rights while also recognizing the importance of community, respect, and hard work. Being American also means learning from history, facing challenges honestly, and trying to make the country better for the next generation. At its best, America is about opportunity, diversity, and the hope that each person can contribute something meaningful to society.

Shuai Sun,

Lawrence

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Happily I live in a Free Nation

Where I don’t face interrogation

Or forced to give an explaination

At the Lawrence Police Station

I freely wander in God’s Creation

And not be tortured for information

Or accused by Incrimination

Since our Country believes in Emancipation

To that I ad my acclamation

Fir it’s timefor celebration

Two hundred fifty years of Jubilation

While to the World an inspiration.

Join with me in my Elation

Shout out “Liberty” with exclamation.

Gerald Vaughn,

Lawrence

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I love America because it is such a beautiful place to live! My family and I love to travel, and we have seen some amazing places like The Grand Canyon, the Colorado mountains, and the amazing Florida beaches! There is something in this country for everyone, no matter what you like!

Also in America I am free! For me, this means I can do the things I love like soccer, dance and theater without worry. In some countries you can’t do this. I can’t imagine not being free.

I love America the beautiful!

Sheena Shearburn,

Lawrence

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America represents Unity in my eyes. It means having the freedom to love my neighbors as they are rather than what they “should be.” It means having a community that helps one another.

Sophia Martinez

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America is one very important place to me. God has given us America and watches over it and hopefully will continue to protect our great Nation. I am very fortunate to have been born in America and have been able to live here all of my life and love it so much that I plan to live here the rest of my life.

Rita Westerhaus,

Eudora

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America means freedom, opportunity, and resiliency. The ability to express yourself openly, work hard, and create a better future for yourself and your family. It’s not perfect, but it is built on the idea that people from different backgrounds can come together with shared hope and determination.

Tiffany Fabriz,

Lawrence

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America is The Land of the Free and Home of the Brave due to people that have served and protected us. America is a place I am glad to call HOME due to people like my husband who is currently going on 36 years of service in the ARMY. I am proud to acknowledge America as my permanent home. America means everything to me in more ways than one!!!

Tami Keller

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America means possibility and responsibility. As a single mother and teacher of a young girl, it is the hope that hard work, education, and character still open doors. It is the freedom to raise a daughter to think for herself, dream without limits, and find her own voice. America is not perfect, but it is the belief that each generation can build something better than the last. It is classrooms filled with potential, communities that support one another, and the opportunity to show a little girl that her future is shaped not by where she starts, but by what she chooses to become.

Tasha Riggins,

Lawrence

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History proves to us that America is the ultimate Profile in courage. Through wonderful leadership and courageous citizens over the years America fights for freedom and democracy; corrects and improves despite disappointments, hardships and mistakes we recover. We will always recover. America is still the last best hope for the world. It’s important that we believe in America; listen and vote.

Sarah Peters

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America is a melting pot of people from all races and cultures that live together in one large community.

Katie Trumble,

Lawrence

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The Star-Spangled Banner says it all, “…the land of the free and the home of the brave.”

Max Utsler,

Olathe

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I love America because of its resilience; it gives hope in our darkest moments. A century after the Declaration of Independence, civil war created our greatest derision, but resilience resulted in a unified nation. In Europe, I was awed by structures millennia old because America defines old in centuries. I had pride in what America accomplished in a comparatively short time. Today, the pendulum swings far in both directions. It often seems little tolerance exists for other’s views, but resilience gives hope that we can and will again be unified in the spirit that defined our nation 250 years ago.

Steve Julian,

Lawrence