"What service to my country means to me"

Hmmm...I bet she's trying to get you to think outside the box - not just military service, but honoring our Constitution/Bill of Rights/forefathers, that type of thing. If I were you, I'd write one long paragraph each on:

*Exercising your right to vote

*Supporting the causes that are important to you/Campaigning for things/candidates you believe in

*Standing up for what's right - be it for yourself or for others (defending the rights of others)

...etc. and then another paragraph for the conclusion. I bet you could do 300-400 words altogether. That really isn't that much.

I hope I'm interpreting the assignment right!!

If you think about it, it's really an opinion she's asking for - she's just looking for it to be laid out in a clear and logical way. She can't fault you for your opinions, right?

Good Luck!