PIETER BOURGES
FATHER | RESTAURATEUR
Where are you from?
"The Netherlands"
What is your profession, and why do you do it?
"I’ve been in the restaurant business my whole career. I love to please people and
build relationships through a good meal."
Why do you love America?
"Land of the free - free to pursue God and happiness."
What freedoms do you value most in this country?
"The freedom to pursue the American Dream of owning a home, raising a family, work in whatever
field you are most passionate and to freedom to fight for our freedoms to be preserved."
What values do you hope America never loses?
"Trust in God . Jesus Christ."
How has living in America shaped who you are today?
"As an immigrant I have a deep appreciation for American values. Because we decided to move here
I have become an American first. I have served in the United States Marine Corps because I have
bought into the notion that the American way of life is worth protecting and preserving."
What does “the American Dream” look like to you?
"Pursuit of happiness (based on the founding fathers way of thinking, from a biblical base
of thought)."
What part of America’s history inspires you?
"Founded with God as our guiding force."
What do you wish more people understood about this country?
"Understand / accept - we are a Christian nation. To live here is to know that up front and to
honor that aspect of who we are as a nation and assimilation to our customs and values is an
important aspect of maintaining who America is."
What do you think is important for the next generation to know?
"That revival is needed in this country. We are losing our way. Fight (in love) for the preservation
of Jesus Christ as the head of who we are as Americans and the values that we keep. If we don’t,
there is a good chance America will quickly become a very different place to live."
“I’m grateful for the people and freedom in this country.”
How are you celebrating America's 250th birthday?
"I will be honoring the country that has blessed us with acceptance and allowed us to plot our own
course in the pursuit of happiness through our Lord Jesus Christ."
NEYDY BOURGES
MOTHER | TALENT MANAGER
Where are you from?
"El Salvador"
What is your profession, and why do you do it?
"As a Talent Acquisition Manager at The Walt Disney Company, I’m grateful for the opportunity to
help change lives and be part of someone’s career journey. Knowing I can open a door, create access,
and help someone take the next step towards their dreams makes the work deeply meaningful to me."
Why do you love America?
"I love America because it became our safe haven when we moved from El Salvador to Rochester, New
York when I was 8 years old. We didn’t leave for opportunity or money- we left because El Salvador was
no longer safe due to the civil war and this country gave my family peace and hope to begin again."
What freedoms do you value most in this country?
"The freedom to practice my religion openly, to grow up living without fear, the freedom to rise based
on effort and talent and build your own path, the freedom of opportunity- the chance to compete,
apply, dream and advance, the freedom to give back- I am now in a position where I can open doors
for others and make an impact on their lives."
What values do you hope America never loses?
"Freedom to worship, compassion and service, moral responsibility and integrity, hope
and perseverance."
How has living in America shaped who you are today?
"Living in America has shaped who I am in countless ways. Arriving from El Salvador at eight years
old, fleeing a civil war, I experienced firsthand what it means to leave everything familiar behind
and start over. That early upheaval taught me resilience, courage, and gratitude for even the
simplest freedoms."
What does “the American Dream” look like to you?
"The American Dream is being able to wake up without fear, to practice my faith openly, and to build
a life guided by hope and possibility. It’s having the chance to learn, explore, and grow — to pursue
my passions and dreams regardless of where I started. It’s the freedom to create a home, to contribute
to my community, and to help others succeed, knowing that opportunity is not a privilege for the few
but a right for anyone willing to work for it. For me, it’s deeply personal: the American Dream is the
gift my family received when we escaped danger in El Salvador and found safety in Rochester. It’s the
chance to live without fear, to hope without limits, and to build a life where my children — or anyone
who comes after me — can dream bigger than I ever imagined."
What part of America’s history inspires you?
"The parts of America’s history that inspire me most are the moments of courage and resilience.
The fight for civil rights reminds me that everyone deserves safety and dignity — the very things my
family sought when we fled El Salvador. Religious freedom allowed me to grow up practicing my faith
openly, and stories of rebuilding show that even in the darkest times, hope and perseverance can create
new beginnings. These moments mirror my own journey and fill me with gratitude for the freedoms
I now live every day."
What do you wish more people understood about this country?
"That the freedoms many take for granted are a lifeline for those who have known life
without them."
What do you think is important for the next generation to know?
"The next generation should know that freedom is a gift that comes with responsibility: the freedom
to live safely, to practice your faith, and to pursue your dreams. They should understand that resilience
matters — even in the darkest times, people can rebuild, hope, and create a better future."
“I’m grateful for this country because, through God’s guidance, it became a place of safety, hope,
and new beginnings for my family. I thank God for the freedom to practice my faith openly, to raise
my voice without fear, and to live in a land where His blessings can be pursued fully. Every opportunity,
every peaceful moment, and every chance to dream and grow reminds me that God’s provision and
protection were made real through this country.”
How are you celebrating America's 250th birthday?
"I'm celebrating by reflecting on the blessings this country has given me and my family."
JORDAN BOURGES
SON | FILM STUDENT
What is your age?
"19 years old."
What activity are you involved in, and why do you like it?
"I’m currently a student, I am studying film. I love the art of filmmaking, and I love telling stories
that leave an impact on the viewer."
Why do you love America?
"I love America because of the freedoms I have enjoyed here, and because of the American people. I
find it incredible that people can come from anywhere, and despite their struggles where they came
from, can find opportunity and renew themselves here."
What freedoms do you value most in this country?
"I think the freedoms guaranteed in the First Amendment are the most essential, like freedom of speech.
Although many of these rights seem basic or obvious to us in the United States, there are many around
the world who do not enjoy these same rights."
What values do you hope America never loses?
"I hope America never loses its unity. I hope Americans never lose sight of what they have known for
years: that it is not the color of one’s skin or a set of beliefs that make someone American. This nation
has been a place where people of every background imaginable come together and put there differences
aside in favor of being fellow Americans. I hope we continue to accept each other and not divide."
How has living in America shaped who you are today?
It is a huge part of who I am. Not only have I grown up believing in the values of the Constitution, but
I’ve also enjoyed and learned a lot from the multiculturalism of America. My own mother and father’s
family and cultures are completely different, opposites at times. They both come from different sides
of the world, and I am a product of multiculturalism in this great nation."
What does “the American Dream” look like to you?
"To me, the American dream is the promise of opportunity. It is that anyone can come to this nation
and will be guaranteed opportunity for work, and with that, will be able to prosper if they work hard
enough. However, I also believe that this is a dream many immigrants share, but it is not reality for
everyone."
What part of America’s history inspires you?
"I am inspired by the civil rights movement of the 1960’s. To me, this moment represented the full
realization of the values set forth in the Constitution. This is largely when the federal government
recognized that all men are created equal, and protected the rights outlined in the Constitution for
all Americans."
What do you wish more people understood about this country?
"How different the people, culture, and geography can be based on where you are within it."
What do you think is important for the next generation to know?
"I think it is important for the next generation to know that their neighbor is not their enemy. There
are constantly loud voices shouting about how other regular Americans are taking away your rights
and ruining your life, simply because they believe something different than you do. But I think the next
generation has the power to change that. For years, this nation has been a place where people can
peacefully disagree, without hate, and I think the next generation should move back towards
peaceful discourse."
“I’m grateful for security in this country.”
How are you celebrating America's 250th birthday?
"Probably with a chili dog."
SOFIA BOURGES
DAUGHTER | STUDENT
What is your age?
"11 years old."
Why do you love America?
"Because it gives people opportunities that they couldn’t get in other countries."
What freedoms do you value most in this country?
"Equality for women to choose a career and a husband unlike other countries."
What values do you hope America never loses?
"Democracy."
What does “the American Dream” look like to you?
"Earning money while doing what you love and have a passion for."
What part of America’s history inspires you?
"Martin Luther King's civil rights and Susan B Anthony’s women’s suffrage movement."
What do you wish more people understood about this country?
"That it was founded by pilgrims who wanted a safe space to worship God and I hope it will inspire
more people to want to worship God."
What do you think is important for the next generation to know?
"That Jesus loves them and we are blessed to live in this country."
“I’m grateful for freedom in this country.”
How are you celebrating America's 250th birthday?
"With my family."
