Even though I am only 12 years old, I always try to help out whenever possible. When I heard the firehouse needed to be built bigger because it was so small that it was dangerous for the firefighters to move around, I wanted to help. Then I heard that some of the neighbors were against this and even wanted the firehouse moved. Since I live on the end of Hicksville, moving the firehouse would mean that it would be further from my house. That is why I decided to march on Oct. 11 to support Station 2.

While we were marching, a neighbor came out of his house and began screaming at everyone, telling us that we had to stop. I wanted to make him stop yelling but I know I couldn't because I was too young.

Then I remembered what I had learned in school about the Bill of Rights. Everyone in the USA has the right to assemble. Then I turned my head and looked at this man's house and saw on his roof a huge sign that read "God Bless USA." I thought about how he shouldn't be trying to take away our rights if he truly loves the USA. When it was all over, I felt very proud that I supported the firemen and happy to have the freedom to express that, whether that man liked it or not.

Bethany Imbriale