do military duty in time of peace, nor do we have to quarter soldiers in tine of peace, and there are many more privileges we do enjoy in this land which we did not have in our native land. I did love my native land and still do love it, but I have found the American ideals greater and more noble than I have found them in other countries. I shall never disgrace my native land by acts which are contrary to the virtues we have learned there. I have partaken of the American freedom. I have learned to love this country equal to that of the country where I was born. I have endeavored to obey the laws of this country and have always used my influence where it was necessary to obey and respect the laws of this country. I believe it my duty to become a citizen of this country for the reasons mentioned in these remarks. I will defend the ideals for which the American patriots sacrificed their lives and fortunes. I will always strive to quicken the sense of civic duty. I will render to this nation the principles which are most noble in me. By doing this I will gain the blessings of this country and its people. I believe this a land blessed above all other lands, therefore, let us give reverence to those who have made this country free from oppression. Let us respect the flap for what it stands: Courage, Truth, and Justice. Second prize - Dick DeYoung, a native of Holland who came to this country in 1920; I emmigrated from Holland the 17th of Aupust, 1920. I heard so many good things about this United States of America that I made up my mind to come over here. When I was here I did not like it very well and I had several good reasons for that; because I could not speak English, I did not know this government and I did not know anything about this people and their way of living. But when I was here for a little while, things changed, and I found myself living in a country so much different from my native land and not only different but so much better. When time went by I went to the Union high school and learned very much about our government. I already had learned to speak English and know the people. So I became much interested and followed the United states history and studied it from 1492 when Columbus discovered America, til up to to-day. And then when in 1620 the first 102 persons came to this country in a ship called the Mayflower, that they had such a very hard time the first winter they were over here, But they persevered and found it so much better the following winter, that they set aside the last Thursday in November to give thanks to our Lord for the good harvest of grains. Finally there came over more people from Europe that they started the thirteen colonies on the Atlantic coast. They had very much trouble with Great Britian and finally George Washington the Father of this country, led them through a long war to victory. And the fourth day of July they declared themselves free and independent states and ever since we celebrate the 4th of July as the day of the declaration of Independence. Furthermore, I read and studied the constitution of the United States, which started in 1787 and the amendments made. I learned that the constitution was the highest law of the land and to overthrow this constitution would be the same as to destroy our government. There from, I learned the differ­ence in ruling a country. My old country and so many others are ruled by Kings or Keisers and have the people not the same rights and liberty as we have over here, where the country is ruled by the people itself through our representatives. I think Holland is a good country, and I still love it, but by learning everything about the United States of America, I know that the United States are still better. And so, when I read about the people whom lived before us and fought for freedom, liberty and happiness, not only for theirselves, but for their posterity, which we are, I feel it my duty and everybody with me, to become a good citizen of the United states of America and obey its laws.