There are many ways we love U.S.

Thank you, thank you, thank you, everyone who has written to me so far about why you love America.

Your writing has provided such an uplifting week, especially on the stormy Tuesday.

For those who haven't heard, the Southeast Missourian is publishing a special Spirit of America edition and inviting all of our readers to submit pieces of 250 words or less on why they love America. The deadline is in less than two weeks -- on June 20. We'll publish them July 1, along with your name and hometown.

Every time our readers submit items for the newspaper, I'm impressed all over again at some of the talent and heart in Southeast Missouri -- how great folks around here are at putting their feelings into words.

Consider samples from just a few we've received so far.

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... Why I love America is about the past and the future. It's about struggling to improve conditions for those not privileged to be among the elite members of society. It's about the compassion behind our social programs. It's about the wisdom in guaranteeing rights for all, not just the popular or the rich. ... And it's knowing one person can make a difference.

Lisa Shirley-Boone

Jackson

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... I love America because of the loving spirit of her people. We are not a perfect nation, we are not a perfect people, but we are a caring, compassionate people with a strong belief that "all men are created equal with the inalienable rights of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness." In times of trouble we pull together to help each other, whether friend or stranger. ...

Gordon Spencer

Cape Girardeau

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... Only once have I been out of America's protective boundary. My first hurdle was the language. I was the foreigner. Our activities were monitored at all times, and I thought of America's inalienable rights. Being unable to take pictures of certain sites made me think of America's freedom. As our visas were being checked, I thought of America's liberty. ...

Dorothy Wolfe

Chaffee

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... I was born in the depth of our Great Depression. I was raised dirt poor and on welfare. ... I did not have the wherewithal to attain a higher education, so I embarked on a career in the military at an early adult age. This country afforded me the opportunity to achieve whatever I wanted if I didn't infringe on the rights of others. ...

Troy O. Wilburn

Kelso

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See what I mean? Outstanding. There's no better time to share our feelings of patriotism than near the Fourth of July with American troops in danger overseas.

So tell everyone why you love this nation. Send your writing to: Heidi Hall, Southeast Missourian, P.O. Box 699, Cape Girardeau, Mo. 63702; fax it to 334-7288; or e-mail hhall@semissourian.com.

In conjunction with the special Spirit of America edition, the Southeast Missourian is sponsoring the Spirit of America Award for the first time.

Clubs or organizations of any kind in Perry, Bollinger, Cape Girardeau, Scott or Stoddard counties in Missouri and Alexander, Pulaski and Union counties in Illinois can nominate someone they believe best represents the American spirit. The organization that nominates the winner will receive $1,000.

Of course, that spirit means a lot of things to a lot of people, so there shouldn't be any problem finding nominees from our area. All of the information is in a form on Page 5B of today's newspaper. Act quickly -- the nomination deadline is June 20, too.

Heidi Hall is managing editor of the Southeast Missourian.