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Patriotic Reading
Declamation
by Christy Stutzman

Intiguing introduction descibes a scene around a campfire with Indians, traders, explorers and a lone Indian girl who is interpreting for them. The speech describes the un-heralded heroism of Sacagawea: "She walked thousands of miles while carrying her son, scouting for food and medicine, finding trails through the rugged mountains, and interpreting for the men as they pushed all the way to the Pacific Ocean...Every record shows that Sacagawea was invaluable to the expedition, and yet she did not receive any personal payment or reward for her contribution to America...She truly is an American hero. And she is just one of many." The speech then poses the question: "What makes an American hero? Every civilized nation on earth has had its own heroes. Rome praised and exulted her war heroes. The Greeks worshiped their athletes. England lauded her bards and poets. But what of America? What makes an American hero?" So how can we define an American hero?. . . We must understand the country herself if we are to understand her heroes. Simply put, American’s look on heroes as ordinary people doing extraordinary things." The speech goes on to list many, many American heroes from all walks of life and every era of American history. A stirring, inspiring patriotic speech that thoroughly answer the question, "What makes an American hero?" by describing "A Nation of Heroes!" Excellent! A true winner!

Approx. 7-9 min.
Shorter 5 min. version available upon request