To the editor: Why are veterans important, you may ask. Blood, sweat, and tears are spread throughout the battlefield. Mothers wondering if their child will make it back home and if a child’s parent will see them again. Veterans don’t go fight because it is “cool” or “popular”. They go to defend their country and their rights.
Freedom is a privilege that not everyone has, but we do, so we must defend it. Our rights and freedoms will be taken away from us without these brave soldiers. Although we all wish that we could keep these things through peace, the way of the world doesn’t work like that. Soldiers are cold and hungry throughout the world as I am speaking. Do you love your warm bed to sleep in every night and the nice warm meals you are served everyday? Well, this would be no more.
Self-discipline and persistence is a key factor to these veterans. Veterans put their own life on the line for us to be able to have freedoms. Some of these freedoms may include freedom of speech, freedom of religion, freedom of press, and so much more. If these veterans put their life at risk why couldn’t we at least give them respect. Respect is a must for anyone, so why should you not give it to the people that have risked everything for you. You and I may never truly understand the effort, dedication, and self-discipline that these veterans have but we can realize that the people who are doing this are just like you and I. They are human. These people are very brave. They want to give up like you and I, but they keep going. That is what makes it so special. Most people would give up because of difficult circumstances, but these veterans kept going. A brave person isn’t someone who isn’t scared of anything, but is someone who stands up to this fear and pushes through the hard times.
Put yourself in their shoes. I know this is hard because you haven’t actually gone to war, but the idea of it may still affect you. Imagine not being able to sleep in your nice warm bed, but instead sleep in cold, uncomfortable places. Imagine not knowing if you were going to see your family again one day. Imagine being hungry and thirsty everyday after hard work. Imagine not being able to see your friends or even contact them.
One of the biggest worries for a lot of you here, is if you have a lot of homework to do tonight, and you complain about school because it is boring. Veterans wish they had small worries like that, but they don’t. They have worries like if they will survive another day. They must keep going. So before you think you should have more respect than a veteran, put yourself in their shoes.
What is a veteran you may ask. I don’t think that there is a way that I could give an exact answer, but I can describe them to you. Brave, courageous, and dedicated are words you could use to describe them. People that have put their own lives on the line for yours. They have seen a lot in their lives, and wish that someone would recognize them other than schools. So if you see a veteran, respect them and be kind, even if no one told you to.
America was founded on July 4, 1776. This is not that long ago. Since that day, the United States has officially declared war 11 times. Some of these wars were years long. This number does include conflicts as well. War is sadly expected among countries so we must be prepared. Many soldiers don’t make it back home, so be respectful and kind to the ones that do because they have been through very rough times.
“Home of the free, because of the brave,” is a quote that I would like to mention. It is short, but has lots of meaning. We would not be free without the brave soldiers that we have. We would sadly be taken over without veterans to defend us. Many men and women have sacrificed or put their lives on the line for freedom so in return, gift them with kindness.
Shelby Weeks
Wilbanks Middle School