The Oxford Languages dictionary defines patriotism as “devotion to and vigorous support for one's country” – in my eyes being a first responder in one’s community is exactly that. I am currently a volunteer with Powell County Search and Rescue as well as Powell County Emergency Management where I respond to 911 calls, educate the community, and participate in chemical emergency drills. We believe in having communities where those that work to live the American dream needn’t worry about what disasters may strike or whether help will come. That being said, I don’t believe one must be a first responder to be a patriot. In the words of author Henry James “I believe patriotism is like charity – it begins at home.” With my own children whether it is just day to day life at home or when I am volunteering to work in the softball field concession stand, I have to be a role model to them so that they can grow up to be productive members of our great nation. It is my greatest pride to raise them and to see them grow up so that they too can help and serve those in the community around them. I hope that one day they follow in my footsteps and serve their communities as well, even if it is just giving their time to sell cold water and candy to tired spectators at a local game. To that point, what is a patriot in our rural communities? It is every one of us that live and let live. It is those of us that serve as first responders, those of us that volunteer on the fields, bake cookies for school groups, the older men that wake in the morning to raise their flag, or even those that simply hold a door for someone at the store with a bright smile on their face. A patriot in our small communities is nothing short of all those that make life a little bit better every day for those around us. It is up to all of us in a community to strive to do better for those around us and to drive our country to be the greatest it has ever been. For some of my final thoughts on this I will bring up the words of President John F Kennedy, “Ask not what your country can do for you – ask what you can do for your county.” What is it that each of us can do for our country? We can each do our part whether big or small. In my eyes taking actions like providing scholarships for rural students is an act of patriotism just as is pulling over and showing respect for a veteran’s funeral going down the road. It isn’t hard to show devotion and vigorous support for your community and those around you – it just takes stepping up and doing something good. It takes stopping for a moment to ask whether you are asking your country to provide for you or whether you yourself are providing for your country. In conclusion I will continue to go on runs when dispatch calls, I will continue to hand sunflower seeds to tired parents at events, and I will continue to sweat in 90-degree heat inside a hazmat suit. I will continue to raise my children to ask what they can do for their country because that is what a patriot does. That is what a member of a community does and what someone with devotion to and vigorous support for one's country does.

We live in some volatile times. Many young people have already lived through a recession, a pandemic, and many more events that many of us wish we could have better prepared for. With events like these it is more important than ever to save for unsure times. Outside of unsure times it is still important to know that you have a plan for the future. Will you lose your job due to a recession? Or does your young family just want a house? Having a plan and a safety net has never been more important, whether that plan is just a simple savings account with a few dollars here and there or a planned-out safety new with a diverse portfolio to save for that rainy day. For me myself, I have been impacted buy natural disaster and was lucky to have a financial plan in place. With the storms that have hit Kentucky over the past year I don't know where I would have been or what my future would look like without savings and insurance because repairs from storm damage cost quite a bit. Additionally, down the road I want to lead a life that will have a good impact on my children. This is why I purchase long-term stocks, participate in my company's 401k plan. The truth is though that as a young student, who am I tell whether this will support me in the long term or in some unknown event. Having a safety net is key to how my wife and I plan for our future. It has always been smart to save and plan out your finances. My parents have always stressed the need for savings and a plan, but with inflation, housing market volatility, and covid is much more important for our generation than ever before. We aren't just planning for the unknowns in our lives but for the unknowns in the world around us. With our generation’s love of lattes and avocado toast, knowing that you are financially secure isn’t just a recommendation – it’s a necessity. We need to know that we are secure, our families are secure, and our futures are secure so that we can live a peaceful life. The one piece of advice I can give to my fellow students is not just to plan, but plan aggressively and be prepared for whatever unknown comes next. With knowledge and education comes the ability to help others unable to help themselves.

The Oxford Languages dictionary defines patriotism as “devotion to and vigorous support for one's country” – in my eyes being a first responder in one’s community is exactly that. I am currently a volunteer with Powell County Search and Rescue as well as Powell County Emergency Management where I respond to 911 calls, educate the community, and participate in chemical emergency drills. We believe in having communities where those that work to live the American dream needn’t worry about what disasters may strike or whether help will come. We fly the flag of our country on our uniforms and our vehicles because to us we live to be individuals but serve to be a nation. That being said, I don’t believe one must be a first responder to be a patriot. In the words of author Henry James “I believe patriotism is like charity – it begins at home.” With my own children whether it is just day to day life at home or when I am volunteering to work in the softball field concession stand, I have to be a role model to them so that they can grow up to be productive members of our great nation. It is my greatest pride to raise them and to see them grow up so that they too can help and serve those in the community around them. I hope that one day they follow in my footsteps and serve their communities as well, even if it is just giving their time to sell cold water and candy to tired spectators at a local game. To that point, what is a patriot in our rural communities? It is every one of us that live and let live. It is those of us that serve as first responders, those of us that volunteer on the fields, bake cookies for school groups, the older men that wake in the morning to raise their flag, or even those that simply hold a door for someone at the store with a bright smile on their face. A patriot in our small communities is nothing short of all those that make life a little bit better every day for those around us. It is up to all of us in a community, whether with a small impact or a large impact, to strive to do better for those around us and to drive our country to be the greatest it has ever been. For some of my final thoughts on this I will bring up the words of President John F Kennedy, “Ask not what your country can do for you – ask what you can do for your county.” What is it that each of us can do for our country? We can each do our part whether big or small. In my eyes taking actions like providing scholarships for rural students is an act of patriotism just as is pulling over and showing respect for a veteran’s funeral going down the road. It isn’t hard to show devotion and vigorous support for your community and those around you – it just takes stepping up and doing something good. In conclusion I will continue to go on runs when dispatch calls, I will continue to hand sunflower seeds to tired parents at events, and I will continue to sweat in 90-degree heat inside a hazmat suit. I will continue to raise my children to ask what they can do for their country because that is what a patriot does.