At this time, America is being tested on it's strength and unity. We are facing several hard times at this moment. Though it is happening in only certain regions of this country, it is impacting all of us as a unit. The meaning of being an American in any daily situation varies among most, and triggers a lot of healthy, and sometimes unhealthy, debate. However, as we are faced with these large waves, I feel that being an American means so much more.

Being an American in this time of need means we must all help one another. No matter the background, religion, ethnicity, or political stand. We all need to come together and donate time, necessities, and love. Something that any other day, you would not expect to see with the amount of disagreement keeping from giving a helping hand. But all these differences aside, we need to come together with arms wide open and caring hearts to rebuild the hope of others.

We need to love one another. Love each other despite of our differences. At the end of the day, we are all in this nation for the same things: freedom and opportunity. Love is something that we can share; something so important in our lives, and we should love one another because we have the freedom to be able to.

We have to support each other. We live in such an amazing country that employers, universities, and other organizations are allowing employees, students, and members to take time off to go and support the rebuilding of a devastation.

That being said, if your organization is one of these, take advantage of the opportunity and go support the rebuilding of this great nation. More over, these organizations are also getting involved and supporting as well. We all should too.

If this applies, we need to pray for one another freely and proudly. Our freedom of religion allows us to not feel scared to pray for one another. Whether you are religious or not, we all need come together with hopes of a brighter future and if you choose to pray for that, you may do so openly.

We must bounce back even stronger than we ever have been. We have so many people willing to help one another, love one another, and support one another that we have a huge opportunity for an even stronger recovery. So let's all come together hand in hand and rebuild stronger than before.

We have to stand proud even though it's rough. Even when we have been knocked so far down it takes us way longer to get back up, we must all still stand tall and proud of this country. Let us all have pride in ourselves, in our Pledge of Allegiance, and in our our nation.

I am truly thankful that we as American citizens are already demonstrating these loving and supportive behaviors. I feel so blessed to be able to live in a place that allows me to dream, inspire, and seize every opportunity that may come along. None of this would be possible if it weren't for our troops fighting for our freedom to live each day to the fullest.

To allow us to be there for one another in these times of need. To proudly stand for our country with out fear of if there will be a tomorrow. Another thank you goes out to all of the amazing and hardworking citizens who are taking time off work, school, and personal lives to build each other up and rebuild a brighter future.