The last Monday in May marks a significant day for Americans. It’s a day remembering those who served our country and risked their lives to finalize our Constitutional rights—including life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. This is a day we put a smile on our veterans’ faces and thank them dearly for their service. This is Memorial Day.

I gaze into the gloomy, dark skies and see endless stars scattered above me. Owls hooting, voices low, I stare at my phone as the clock strikes 12:00am. All at once, the sky fills with bright, neon colors—red, blue, purple, orange, green. Boom, pop, snap, crackle! Voices loudly cheers. This is the 4th of July.

The clock hits 9:29am, as the announcements turn up: “I would like us all to take a moment of silence to honor this day in history.” The classroom, full of obnoxious kids, suddenly goes silent. Heads lower, eyes close tightly, and minds spin. I sit in my metal desk visualizing the terror our country experienced this morning. I picture the towers collapsing, tears streaming down loved one’s faces. I rest my head in my arms and slowly raise my head up as the lady on the announcements concludes saying, “Thank you all.” This is 9/11.

I stare at the flag as it sways in the windy skies every morning. I can taste the freedom from those who walked before us. Freedom, happiness, love, liberty, were all paved for us by fellow Americans, our people. This is our country’s freedom. This is America.