Local bands, home-made signs, cheers, parades and countless American flags greet the members of each Honor Flight leaving Fort Wayne, Indiana. People drive more than an hour to attend the send-off and arrival of heroes they might not even know. But it doesn’t just happen in Indiana. It’s happened in small towns and big cities all across America every month for the past several years. The last time my family and I greeted an Honor Flight at the World War II Memorial in Washington, D.C., a group of teens with several adult chaperones approached us. “Are you here to greet the Honor Flights?” they asked excitedly. They were a senior government class that had driven two hours in order to greet whatever Honor Flights came in that morning. It was …show more content…
and most for the first time to their memorial. What strikes me each time is their matter-of-fact view of what they did. These heroes were barely old enough to drive when they went off to war, yet their unbelievable acts of heroism and valor saved the world! Without fail, they respond to my words of thanks with answers like, “I just did my duty. We all did.” “Never lose faith in America.” “It was nothing. Times were tough, and everyone did their part.” Their words of advice are always priceless: “Don’t forget to be strong and good.” “Do your duty and always honor that flag.” Saying “Thank you” is the best thing to do, and yet it seems so insufficient. As each small town holds its send-off rallies in the local high school gym or forms a welcome parade at the airport to celebrate their returning heroes, these American patriots are inspiring our nation again. They’re reminding us of simple truths unchanged by time: patriotism, faithfulness, loyalty, duty, honor, respect and commitment. They remind us of an even greater truth: America has been the great light of the world because of the goodness of our people. Alexis de Tocqueville summed it up well when he wrote, “America is great because she is good; and when America ceases to be good, she will cease to be
As a nation, we need to be thankful for our veterans. The men and women who join the military undergo nine weeks, or more, of boot camp. That right there is said to be the most laborious nine weeks of anyone’s life. Drill sergeants break them down both emotionally and physically, so they can improve upon them and make them stronger. Those are the people we should be thanking, the ones who fight to preserve our country’s freedom, equality, and the pursuit of happiness. Those are the fundamentals of our Constitution that those people fight to protect. However, after their service, it doesn’t seem like people know that.
Attention Getter: “I am an American Airman. My mission is to Fly, Fight, and Win. I am faithful to a Proud Heritage, A Tradition of Honor, And a Legacy of Valor.”
Saying “The Pledge of Allegiance” and singing “The Star Spangled Banner” makes me feel so proud to live here. Listening to veterans tell stories about wars is so interesting. You wonder how they survived and how some are still willing to go out and fight. When you see a veteran, you realize that this is your home. These veterans have given me a life most people would love to have. These veterans stood up for what they believed in. I will never meet all of them, but I will never be able to express how thankful I am. These veterans are people we pass every day, they don’t expect a thank you. We lose about 1,000 World War II, Korean War, and Vietnam veterans everyday. They should be thanked a lot
Not many people would withstand having to go off to war knowing their life was on the line. There is much respect and gratitude inclined towards those who did and sacrificed everything they had. Our cordially veterans - the ones who fought and endured the bestial wars, the ones who knew they could fall at any moment, the ones who, despite the horror and fear
Welcome to New Haven Middle School’s Veterans Day Assembly. A lot of people think it’s just another assembly that you go to and just listen to people talk, but it’s more than just that. It’s about honoring our loved ones and the fallen ones, the ones who came back injured or scarred for life. We go to airports and gym’s where a meeting s held to welcome home our soldiers. Some kids ask their parents or someone they know about who gives us our freedom. All they have to say is someone who fights for our country. Freedom is NOT free. It may seem free because certain people are out fighting to protect us and our country. Some people throw a party or a huge welcome home gathering or make tons of signs to show their thanks. I’m sure they love it but I’m also sure all they would want is a simple thank you.
“At every crossroads on the path that leads to the future, tradition has placed 10,000 men to guard the past."-Maurice Masterlinck. Being a volunteer member of a military base honor guard, there are numerous reasons that require full effort and dedication. It is important that we, ceremonial guardsmen, strive to stay true to the creed put forth for us. Respect, integrity, inspiration, professionalism and tradition are key to being an effective member of the honor guard.
On May 12, 1962, General Douglas MacArthur addressed the cadets at the West Point Military Academy in his speech Duty, Honor, Country, during the reception for the Sylvanus Thayer Award. This award is given to an “…outstanding citizen of the United States whose service and accomplishments in the national interest exemplify personal devotion to the ideals expressed in the West Point motto, duty, honor, country.” As the one receiving this prestigious award, General MacArthur truly exemplified these values as he had acquired the rank of General of the Armed Forces while serving in World War I, World War II, and the Korean War. Within the speech Duty, Honor, Country, MacArthur utilizes logos, pathos, and ethos in order to appeal to the cadets
The men and women who helped shape the face of this country through their honor, legacy, and patriotism are those we call veterans. They are our dads, moms, uncles, aunts, brothers, sisters; they are our family. Yet, we constantly overlook their desire and passion for this country. The gratitude that they deserve is not shown towards them, as it should be. I thank all veterans for their
Honoring Veterans, West Delaware High School participated in an assembly on Nov.11 hosted in the Handson Auditorium.The event was arranged and prepared by teacher Jorden Pollock, with seniors Nicholas Juergens and Bergan Bloomers representing the student body.
Another thing you could do is take them out somewhere. If they are old then they might enjoy going to get some food or going to a museum. And the last thing is just say thank you. They have done so much for are country and its the least we can do
Generation-after-generation, families unite to honor their loved ones. Regardless if those honored are alive or bereft, commander or commanded, we praise their service. There is a vast array of traditions to honor them.
Before each and every game, the Virginia Tech basketball coach, Buzz Williams, explained to the team how important the National Anthem was to America, and everyone living in it. He brought in a group of Military Veterans to demonstrate a point towards the basketball team. There were chairs lined up where the Veterans would sit, and while watching the game from the sidelines. The coach brought the team over, and discussed to them that the chairs were not for them, they were for the Veterans. Buzz started explaining to the team just how important, and showing telling them things that they might not have thought about before; about how they gave up their entire life to go fight for our Country. Their education, they completely redirected their
“The last American soldier left Vietnam during the fall of Saigon on April 30, 1975. For 2.4 million who served in Vietnam, there was no official homecoming. In June of 2005, Branson, Missouri held “Operation Welcome Home” for Vietnam Veterans. The parade and events were planned to provide the celebration and recognition they did not receive 30-plus years earlier.” (Vietnam: Homecoming) The veterans were able to see the Traveling Vietnam Memorial Wall and find the names of men they had known they had dies while serving. These veterans met with men they had formerly served with. Although this event was only a fraction of the welcome the soldiers truly deserved, many veterans were very appreciative of this. “Branson gave me
The United States of America has seen great change throughout its history. While a considerable amount of time has matured the nation, the core spirit of the American people remains unaffected. In spite of all the wars fought and problems that arose, the
My first visit to the Naval Academy was on family trip while in grammar school. On this and subsequent visits, the young men and women who chose to devote their lives to country and service greatly impressed me. As a high school student, I had the good fortune to experience Academy life via my acceptance to the competitive Summer STEM program, my invitation to Candidate Visit Weekend, and my participation in the Elite Throws Sports Camp. Through these first-hand experiences, I grew in awareness and commitment to an Academy education as an opportunity to enable me to serve my country. Moreover, I am honored to be a member of a gold star family, via my uncle Senior Master Sergeant Peter Bondi, recently deceased on active duty, and to have had a grandfather who served in the National Guard. Eulogies delivered for my Uncle Peter reflected a life of service and were a source of inspiration that fueled my resolve to serve.