Clayton Oloteo
2003 Grand Prize Winner
Scottish Rite Paul R. Kach, 33°
DeMolay Prize Americanism
Essay Competition Winner
10th Grade and Below Category
Perfection Chapter
12133 Trailways Drive
St. Louis, Missouri 63146–4838

Selfless service is the meaning of the DeMolay ritual when it says there is
“ patriotism of peace as well as heroism of war.”

Eighteen months ago, I witnessed an event that changed my life forever. History classes attempt to teach us about peace, war, patriotism, and heroism. But no history book can teach what I learned firsthand that day as I watched the death of thousands of innocent people on national TV and witnessed how ordinary people responded to extraordinary events. September 11th, 2001, taught me that heroes are made by their response to events out of their control. I also learned that you don’t have to be directly involved in the event to be a hero. Not only were the workers in the World Trade Center, the firefighters, and police officers heroes but also the millions of people, here and around the world, who did what they could to help by donations of time, money, and resources.

I was reminded about the meaning of patriotism that day as I listened to replays of phone calls from passengers on United Flight 93. They were ordinary yet extraordinary people who were going about their everyday lives until they became inadvertently involved in this tragedy. As these passengers were learning of the events in both Washington and New York through telephone calls to loved ones, they realized that they and only they had the power and responsibility to stop the terrorists on their plane. They knew that if they didn’t act quickly, then the plane they were flying on might also be used as a weapon against America. These innocent Americans knowingly gave up their lives for their country. It wasn’t their job; it wasn’t an oath they had taken. It was patriotism, a love for one’s country, which prompted them to act. Such selfless service is the meaning of the DeMolay ritual when it says there is “patriotism of peace as well as heroism of war.”

America stands for the best of all things that people can hope for, dream of, and achieve. The U.S. Constitution and its Amendments are not just words on paper; for every American, the values expressed in these documents are experienced every day. Slowly the outrage, sympathy, fear, and anger that the world felt after the events of 9/11 are being forgotten. Incredibly, anti-Americanism has increased over the last year. Already forgotten is the fact that the United States showed restraint and didn’t retaliate as it could have, returning violence with violence. That America didn’t strike back is a sign of strength.

Unlike millions of people around the world, Americans are free. We are able to form and express our own opinions. The government, judicial system, and police protect us in our rights. Church is separated from state, and freedom of religion is a reality. We can carry the book of our faith wherever we go and read it whenever we want. Our money proclaims “In God we trust.” Our Presidents take their oath of office on a Bible, and we still pledge allegiance to one nation “under God.” At public events, we stand as one, remove our hats, place our hands over our hearts, and proudly sing our national anthem. The greatest symbol of patriotism, known the world over, is the American flag. Our flag is displayed at home, at school, and on our cars. We fly it proudly from land, sea, and even the moon. In times of national mourning, we show our grief and support by flying our flag at half-staff.

I do not know what the future holds for myself and other Americans, but if history is any indicator, the future of the United States of America is secure in peace and war because of its patriots. We, as a nation, are not perfect, but we work to improve our country’s inadequacies. America continues to move forward, and I will be a part of that advance. But before we can heal and move on, we have to ensure that terrorists cannot destroy us or our way of life. America has a responsibility to its citizens and to the peoples of other countries to stop future terrorist attacks. In the name of justice, action must be taken. That is certain. Terrorist groups cannot inflict violence without expecting reprisal. But whoever is ultimately found to be responsible for terrorist attacks, we should not blame an entire ethnic or religious group.

For myself, I’ll always remember the final United Flight 93 telephone calls saying “I love you.” I’ll remember those people falling to their deaths from the top of burning skyscrapers. I’ll remember the hundreds of firefighters who were buried under tons of rubble and died. I’ll think of the children who will grow up never knowing their mothers or fathers. And I’ll give thanks that I live in a country where I am free to have a choice. I will love my country, even with its faults, and work to improve it for my children. I will show more compassion and address the issues of diversity, coexistence, reconciliation, conflict prevention, peace, understanding, and tolerance. I will have faith that we, as a people, can defend America and will proudly serve it. The events of 9/11 have made us a better nation, and it’s up to us as its citizens to keep America strong and free.

Clayton Oloteo is a seventh-grade student at Parkway Middle School in St. Louis County. He strives to maintain straight A’s and has won the Presidential Award for Outstanding Academics. His favorite subject is science, and in 2002 he was a finalist in the Discovery Young Scientist Challenge. Clayton enjoys flying with his grandfather and someday wants to earn his pilot’s license. He enjoys competitive sports and recently participated in the State Games of America, which is an Olympic-style national sporting event. A new member of DeMolay, he enjoys ritual practice, flag ceremonies, and competing at Conclave. He currently holds the position of Chaplain in Perfection Chapter, St. Louis, Missouri.

Regional Prize winners of the 2003 Scottish Rite Paul R. Kach, 33°, DeMolay Prize Essay Competition received $300 each. They are listed here by Region number, full name, city of residence, and in order of 10th grade and below first and 11th grade and above second in each Region: Region #1, Harry Needham, Hamden, Connecticut; Eric Evarts, Newington, Connecticut; Region #2, Bert Hepler, Covington, Virginia; Edward Robert Kish, Pipersville, Pennsylvania; Region #3, Michael S. Griggers, Locust Grove, Georgia; Henry A. Williams IV, Stockbridge, Georgia; Region #4, Andrew Small, Boardman, Ohio; Murad Shorrab, Youngstown, Ohio; Region #5, Robert Clifton, Kenosha, Wisconsin; Jonathan Lager Moore, Boone, Iowa; Region #6, Clayton Oloteo, St. Louis, Missouri; Scott Underwood, Kansas City, Missouri; Region #7, Jeff Stedman, Sidney, Montana; Brian M. Smith, Laramie, Wyoming; Region #8, David Haines, Moscow, Idaho; Jared Okerson, Yorba Linda, California.