This R.I. teen looked for a way to consider what democracy means. She found her grandfather.

Abiageal Emery's grandfather was just 21 years old when he served aboard the U.S. Navy aircraft carrier USS Essex during the Cuban Missile Crisis. She asked him to share his memory of that time for her award-winning Voice of Democracy essay. (Photo by PHCS Jackman, U.S. Navy - U.S. Navy National Museum of Naval Aviation photo No. 1996.488.242.072, Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=6803795)

This essay by Westerly High School sophomore Abiageal Emery won first place in the 2023-2024 Rhode Island  Veterans of Foreign Wars Voice of Democracy essay competition. The theme was “What are the greatest attributes of our Democracy?” Emery will read her essay as the featured speaker for the state’s 50th Annual Memorial Day ceremony taking place Monday at 1 p.m. at the Rhode Island Veterans Memorial Cemetery in Exeter. Her essay has been lightly edited for republishing here.

I type the word “America” into my Google search bar. It suggests my next words should be “the land of opportunity.” Opportunity is such a broad term, and I think that’s why it’s so special. I may find an opportunity to go to my friend’s house, but some may find an opportunity to turn their life around, or quit an addiction, or buy a car; the possibilities are endless, and can vary to so many situations. To be considered the land of opportunity is to be considered as free. However, these opportunities are not free, they are not a given, and they are not easily obtained. Each opportunity was earned. As was our democracy. The freedoms we have now we didn’t always have. I believe in my core, the greatest attribute of America’s democracy is that it was earned. 

My grandfather, who is 82 years old, is a retired Navy veteran. He served in the Cuban missile crisis in October 1962 when he was 21. I’ve always admired him for that and acknowledged how thankful I am for him, however I’m not sure I truly ever understood his story until recently. During the time of my grandfather’s service, the Soviet Union was trying to place nuclear-armed missiles into Cuba land to attack America. My grandfather can still recall many details from this experience. He arrived at the Cuban border on a Friday night aboard the first ship to reach the island country. He describes the dilemma as both hectic and dangerous. He remembers being “confused and had no idea what was going on.” The crew was not sure why, but on Sunday morning when they woke up, the ships were in the middle of the ocean, departing back.

As I listened to his story, I kept thinking how much I would despise being on that boat. I would be scared, hungry, tired, and without the willpower to stand those conditions. My grandfather, and so many others, were ready to fight for our country and keep Russia’s nuclear missiles out, even if they had fears about their own safety. His story is so powerful to me because it’s a direct example of protecting American democracy and the public’s welfare. The willingness and sacrifice of those involved in the Cuban missile crisis helped to secure what America has built: democracy, freedom, and opportunity. 

I believe in my core, the greatest attribute of America's democracy is that it was earned.

My grandfather’s story and those of other veterans have a connection. No matter how much  research I do and questions I ask, as someone who has never gone to war, I can never truly understand it. However, I can have respect and great compassion for the work and dedication my grandfather and others had for our country. They put their lives on the line for our democracy. 

In my eyes, my grandfather is the bravest person I know. However, he is just one of the 41 million individuals who have served in the U.S. military in our nation’s history. He is one of 41 million individuals who helped earn the opportunities I often take for granted. He and so many others are the reason I am here today. They are the greatest attributes of American democracy.

For some individuals, the importance of our country outweighs the importance of their own life. There is never a resting moment for our veterans, past or present. They will always have their stories and experiences and the right to share their stories and experiences. They could stop and give up the fight for America, but they don’t. They fight for a democracy so the rest of us can enjoy it. At every point in time, a person who served is responsible for earning democracy. That is what makes it so special. America was not born with freedom and opportunity, those who had enough courage, fought and earned it for everyone. 

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