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Veterans Day Speech

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An older man is slumped in a rigid metal chair. He is barely visible over the multiple rows of people surrounding him. His hands clasp his seat, trying to steady the rest of his body. A few tears trail down his rough cheek. The final notes of taps echo across the gymnasium. My brain takes a while to adjust to the fact that I had just seen my grandpa cry. I had never seen this tough yet loving man break down like that. I wanted to rush over to hug and comfort him. He located me in the crowd and shook his head, smiling. This was his moment. He finally acknowledged the sacrifices he had made, and was feeling true appreciation for his service. A simple middle school Veterans Day program was what it took to break through some of the pain of his …show more content…

One of the best ways to do so is to travel to our nation's capital. Several schools use such a trip as an educational opportunity. In Washington DC, students can tour landmarks, visit monuments, and explore the past. The experience of a DC trip turns a textbook into more of a hands on experience. It should be something the government promotes, as it shows patriotism preserved. Furthermore, in order to be patriotic in this day and age, we need to teach tolerance in school and families. Over the years, America has made a lot of progress. We need to recognize how freedom has evolved and learn from the mistakes past generations have made. Patriotism is about accepting the fact that America has had skewed viewpoints and continues to, but grows as these views change. Tolerance is a way to show patriotism as well as respect the entire population of America. Using historical documents in everyday life is another way to acknowledge our heritage. Saying the Pledge in the morning and standing during the performance of the National Anthem are two practical and constant examples. Learning the Constitution, Declaration of Independence, etc. is important to showing patriotism as these documents educate us on acts of patriotism long ago. Knowing your past through writings can make you proud and help you stalwartly stand for your

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