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.”