A Senior Paper from 2008
By Mike Parry
In my visits with many different people I come across things that I feel I’d like to share with our readers. I’ve enjoyed reading stories written by our youth when it comes to Veterans. I came across a paper written by Naysh Huntington of Waseca. He was a Senior and 18 years old. I want to share it with you.
10/28/2008
“Every time I hear that Veterans Day is coming up, I think of how lucky that I am to live in the country of the United States of America. In every article, and on every news channel, you hear of the poor countries that suffer each day. The countries that live life day by day because they never know when it will be their last. Some places on this glove are unbelievable, places like Cuba, Iraq, and the Dar Fur region in Africa. These places are among the most dangerous in the world. It saddens me to think that some people can be so cruel to another person. Suffrage is a word that they are able to shed when American soldiers are sent in. Our brave men and women will stand toe to toe with any person that threatens the freedom of their country.
The fear of death does not phase these soldiers as much as their deep love for what they believe is right does. Love for their homelands, love for their families, and love for the people they are protecting, and love for their fellow servicemen. With every minute they spend in combat they know that, when they attempt to return fire in mid-combat, death could be their only reward. They know that at any moment an enemy bullet could fatally strike them leaving their spouse widowed, and their children broken. Yet they stand united and fight. Some not even knowing what the fight is about, or why it started, just knowing that when their country is threatened, so are they as individuals. Looking out for the people standing next to them, just as much as themselves, they fight off the threat in all climates, and any terrains. Put through vigorous training from the very beginning they are ready for anything. After Basic Training, and after being pushed to the point that they are ready to lay down and die, they are ready for anything or anyone. Hundreds of hours of vigorous training makes’ them learn to accept death, and for some even welcome it. They stand up and stare into the face of evil and smurk, knowing that the set of eyes across from them is thinking the exact same thing. Each knowing that one of them has to die. While the enemy sakes with fear, the American hero remains strong, unshaken, and ready. When an American soldier is pushed into a corner and hope seems to be lost, the most amazing thing happens. They pick up their weapon and fight, not know the number of the enemy, just know that if the enemy passes them, the next stop is the motherland. When the family of these men and women are put into harms way, nothing can keep the American warriors from protecting them.
Arguments, disputes, and fights are constant in this country. Broken apart we stand, anger and jealousy a coming thing between all Americans. Yet for some reason when the possibility of war breaks out, and we are called, the arguments stop, the threats stop, and we unite as one. One dominating, destructive force that will not be contained by any country. The brave men in World War II went overseas and fought for what they through was right. Meanwhile full support from the citizens at home was given to them. The women coming together to fill the jobs that the men left unoccupied. Creating planes, armor and weapons. Those who weren’t drafted planted crops to feed the country, while the children learned to fend for themselves. We become one, and because of this protectiveness we remain unbeaten. When a distress call is sent out, the first ones to respond will be the U.S. and everyone knows this. We do not leave until the job is done, and in this country, it appears that there is no other option.
The chance to be a part of this great country is such as privilege, yet only a select few really accept that fact. Most of us just go on day by day taking advantage of the fact that many people died just so we can live our lives in a free nation. Every day that I am given the opportunity to make a decision, whether or not I make the right decision, I am thankful that I have been given the choice to make that decision. I am truly grateful of this gift of freedom, and on this special day remembrance of these brave Heroes I would like to offer my thanks and gratitude to you. This nation would not be near as great as it is now if you, the brave young men and women that some of us call grandmother or grandfather, mother or father had not risked your lives for it. Veterans are very special people, they are an unordinary group of brave individuals who looked within themselves and found out what the true meaning of freedom meant to them. They intermingle among us just trying to live on with their life, and forget about the past. Some still to this day wear our countries colors in pride, refusing to go anywhere without their uniform. My grandfather is one of the people that just wishes to continue on with daily life, but for those who know what he endured, we are truly impressed, and forever in debt. Some members of my family know that he does not like to bring up what happened in the war, because it’s a sore spot for him. I understand this completely, but each time I see him, I feel like I’m in the presence of greatness. He fought on the front lines in World War II, and stayed longer than his term called, just so he could finish what in his mind, he was sent there to do. This is true bravery, and it is something that only a select kind of people have, and these people are our nations Veterans. The guys that went from using a pickaxe deep under the surface of the earths’ crust in a mine, one day to firing a weapon for cause unknown the next.
I would now like to take a look at our nation’s song, the Pledge of Allegiance. While this promise is something that is personal to each of us, it is also something that includes all of us. Our pledge is a statement of confidence to each other of our loyalty to our great countries flag. To those who fought for it, it is known only as “Old Glory”, the flag that has represented our countries ideals, goals, ambitions, and above all our sacrifices for over two hundred years. This is a song that is sung by the truly proud. The men and women that risked their lives for it, in some of the many wars we have been a part of. If freedom is ever in jeopardy anywhere, you can bet that we will be there putting up a fight to protect those who dwell within it that freedom is no free. We have given so much blood to live how we do, and we will continue to give blood to keep this country safe from those who attempt to overpower us. Veterans are not superheroes, they do not have superpowers, and they do not turn water into wine. You won’t find them in a Hollywood movie, and they do not fly, but they are above all of that, they are true heroes, and they are everywhere hidden waiting for the call. Veterans are a special people, they are freedom fighters, and they will continue to fight until unpeaceful threats are diminished throughout. Thank you, you’re all Heroes in my book.”