**A Part of America I Long For, I Found in Ukraine**
By Graden Keller, Guest Columnist
I’ve been to Ukraine. I know Ukraine. And what I see there is a country that has clarity about its values and a deep understanding of the importance of freedom.
Ukraine is not perfect – neither is the United States. But when it comes to fighting for liberty, I wish America could be more like Ukraine. The people there understand that freedom without responsibility is not freedom at all.
I remember walking the streets of Kyiv and speaking with Ukrainians who had lost family members, homes, and livelihoods. They didn’t express bitterness or self-pity; instead, they showed resolve and determination to fight for their country’s future.
The war in Ukraine is not just about territory; it’s about the right to exist, to govern oneself, and to choose one’s own future. The people do not take that for granted.
In contrast, democracy in the United States has become a birthright rather than a responsibility. We often treat politics as a game, focusing on personal power and spectacle rather than safeguarding our republic.
**The Difference Between Liberty and Freedom**
There is a difference between liberty and freedom. Liberty requires effort and sacrifice; it’s something we must fight for every day. Freedom, on the other hand, can be taken for granted if we don‘t stay vigilant.
Ukraine reminds us of the America that fought for independence against a greater power, sacrificed for the sake of liberty, and understood that freedom is not an individual privilege but a shared responsibility.
I do not admire Ukraine because it’s perfect; I admire its clarity, purpose, and refusal to take liberty for granted. And I want my own country to remember what that feels like.
**Can America Become What It Once Was?**
The answer to this question will determine our future. Can we wake up now and recognize the value of democracy before it’s too late? Or do we need to lose our democracy entirely before we realize its importance?
If Ukraine is the United States I long for, then perhaps the better question is: Can America become the country it once was – a nation that understands liberty is earned, not given?
To those who say, “If you like Ukraine so much, why don’t you move there?” I say, “Because I believe in the American ideal.” This country still has the potential to be what it once was: a beacon of hope and freedom.