As I read Kaitlyn Andrew-Rice's column ("Lost in America: Return to States creates confusion for 'American,' " Jan. 30), I couldn't help but be a little surprised. I have spent a lot of time over the course of my life pondering just who I am, and part of that inevitably means that I pondered what it meant to be an American. I know
with certainty what it means to be a proud citizen of the United States.

It means that above all else, you value freedom -- the ability to decide your life for yourself. It means that you value hard work and take no substitutes for this. It also means that you will make mistakes, but that you can learn from these mistakes and try to correct them. Over the past several years, this identity has been tried and tested, but that does not mean that we forget who we are. There are numerous reasons to be proud of our country, and even more opportunities to make it better. Apathy has become a problem, but there are still plenty of people who want to and can make a difference. All we have to do is keep the courage to remain true to who we are.

God bless America.