Being AmericanThe United States is a nation populated by millions of different people. However, each of these people has one major thing in common: they are all Americans. Many people wonder what it takes to be a true American, but the answer is not that difficult to determine. Essentially, being an American means showing patriotism and pride for the country, being very fortunate compared to other countries, and, unfortunately, showing a lack of appreciation for all the great things America offers. An American is someone who demonstrates pride and patriotism. in the United States. Throughout its history, the United States has experienced many ups and downs; from the revolutionary war to the current Iraqi conflict. However, real Americans are those who have remained strong and supported America through all its struggles, which therefore leads them to be grateful to this country. Those affected by the terrorist attack of September 11, 2001 are an example of how these people now realize how important that day was and forever changed their view of America. “Each of us knows our own story: where we were on September 11, what we thought about it, how it changed us” (Thoms, 10, p. 10). The lives of these Americans were forever changed after witnessing this horrific tragedy and seeing what it truly caused. The duty of Americans is to strengthen the nation in good times and bad. Many people stand in the way of America's success and prevent the nation from realizing its potential as a fully harmonious nation. People protesting in violent and obnoxious ways over issues such as support for the troops and various political decisions only keeps America from being prosperous. On the other hand, people who go with the flow act with optimism... middle of paper ...... follow every little step of the way, only to remain amazed and happy that the chase never ends » (Gardner, 291, p. 189). He's an American. Someone who must experience their own struggles firsthand and overcome them to become stronger in the end. A man who appreciates and understands that America can offer everyone a path to happiness and triumph, and who is patient and determined enough to achieve his goal. In conclusion, being an American means showing patriotism and pride for the country, being lucky, and unfortunately showing a lack of appreciation for all the great things that America offers. What constitutes an American is a question that might torment people due to the great diversity of the American population. However, it is very clear that being American is more about a state of mind, a belief and a course of action than it is about physical characteristics or race..