A101 Team There are plenty of reasons to be concerned about young Americans today. But there are also reasons for optimism. Check out these five young patriots. Their stories will inspire you!
1. California Kid Who Crosses the Country Decorating the Gravesites of Veterans
11-year-old Preston Sharp started a movement to place flags and flowers on veterans’ graves.
“I got really frustrated that our veterans weren’t being honored on Veterans Day. My mom taught me if you see something wrong, do something about it, don’t complain about it,” he said.
So he did – along with a little help from veterans groups, firefighters and police officers from across the country. His efforts were even acknowledged by President Donald Trump in the 2018 State of the Union address.
“He decided to change that and started a movement that has now placed 40,000 flags at the graves of our great heroes. Preston, a job well done,” Trump said.
That job isn’t done yet. Since that address, Sharp has honored more thousands more veterans.
2. 10-Year-Old Tennessee Boy Who Didn’t Let His Wheelchair Keep Him from Standing for the National Anthem
10-year-old Avery Price has a syndrome that makes it difficult for him to use his legs. At the Putnam County Fair in Tennessee, Price pushed himself around in a wheelchair to get around the fairgrounds.
When the national anthem started playing, though, Price did not let his circumstances prevent him from standing up and putting his hand to his heart.
He later explained, “I usually sit and put my hand over my heart, but last night I just decided to stand. I like to stand for my country.”
Hundreds of commenters, from those who witnessed that night to those who across the web who just saw the video, said they found the patriotic display deeply inspirational.
3. Fayetteville Kid Works to Start His Own Lawn Service Business
At 11 years old, Q’yaron Godson was on the hunt for a summer job in Fayetteville.
He asked Fayetteville’s Grasshoppers Lawn Care for a job, and when they said no, he went back and asked if they could help him find a used lawn mower.
“If I can’t find a job, I’m going to make a job,” said Q’yaron.
He worked to fix a broken lawnmower so he could get to work.
Impressed by his work ethic, a local lawn care service gifted Godson brand new, working one.
Q’yaron lined up customers for the summer and got to work.
4. Ohio Boy Pays It Forward and Receives the Citizen Medal of Honor
8 Year Old Myles Eckert found a $20 bill in the parking lot of a Cracker Barrel in Toledo, Ohio.
Originally, Eckert had planned on spending the money on a video game. Until he saw a man in uniform – Lt. Col Frank Daley.
Daley, a stranger to Myles, was gifted a $20 bill in a handwritten note that read “Dear Soldier — My dad was a soldier. He’s in heaven now. I found this $20 in the parking lot when we got here. We like to pay it forward in my family. It’s your lucky day! Thank you for your service. Myles Eckert, a Gold Star kid.”
After this sweet story first aired, Myles helped raise nearly $2 million for Gold Star charities. And for his selfless service to others, the Congressional Medal of Honor Society gave him its highest praise.
5. 9-Year-Old American Hero Fought City Hall to Bring Snowball Fights Back to Severance, Colorado
Dane Best of Severance, Colorado made headlines by protesting his town’s “silly” ban on snowball fights.
With the help of his classmates, Best decided to take it upon himself to change the law by collecting letters and signatures in support of snowball fights and presenting his case at a Severance Town Council meeting.
Best told the council “It is an outdated law. I want to throw a snowball without getting in trouble.”
Now, thanks in large part to his hard work, he can. The council unanimously approved a measure to legalize throwing snowballs within town limits.
