HIGHLIGHT SPOT OF MY LIFE
Following is an essay written by Sam Harris at the age of 15 (now archived in a museum for posterity)
America is indeed the best place on earth. Most people born in America may not think of that the same way I do because all the freedoms come to them as natural as breathing. I, being born in Europe and living there through the war, have a different respect for democracy as being practiced in the United States.
Not until about three and a half years ago did I know what Democracy was.
Then the day came. I moved to this free country. This was a complete change for me in the way people lived and the language they spoke.
In all the countries I have been including Poland, my birthplace, Austria or Germany, did the people move so freely and live in such modern countries.
When still on the harbor ship, the Ernie Pyle, I starred at all the million lights which brightened the night.
Between the huge buildings and our ship on the water there lay a little island on which rested the Statue of Liberty. Even not knowing yet what this huge figure was, I starred at it with great interest.
Then I questioned. When I realized what it symbolized that much more my eyes brightened with freedom and my heart beat like the drums of peace.
Now I have lived in this heaven for three and a half years and still I think of these first visions of real human life which all the people all over the whole world should some day experience.
My heart, I should hope , will never let me forget the sight of liberty my eyes saw on the first night in America. “G-d bless America.”