Dexter, Missouri - Each year T.S. Hill 8th grade students are asked to write an essay in their Social Studies class. Mrs. Jessica DeMent is the director of this annual project.
Irene Huang was chosen from all of the 8th grade Social Studies students at T.S. Hill Middle School and with that honor was selected to read her essay at the annual Veterans Day Observance Program held at the Bearcat Event Center. This year the event was held on Wednesday, November 11, 2015.
Below is her essay! Congratulations Irene! The Veterans and the Dexter community are proud and honored to have heard your essay on Wednesday.
"During the Revolutionary War, there were people who risked their lives for our freedom. In the Civil War, freedom and lives, once again, were risked for equality. Those who served in the military for our country are called veterans. In this room with us today are veterans. They, along with a great number of others, have fought for us. They chose to live a life filled with risk and uncertainty, hoping to give their country safety, freedom, and the benefits we, as Americans, have today. Many of our freedoms are not available to people in other countries. In President Abraham Lincoln’s last inaugural address, he made a promise to help veterans. He swore to support our military families. I believe it is important to stop today and examine what I can do, as an American, to continue to fulfill the promise Lincoln made to this group of heroes. There are many simple tasks all of us can take upon ourselves to help implement our 16th president’s pledge such as sending care packages and letters, reassuring families of those deployed in times of need, or perhaps visiting a veterans’ hospital nearby.
I can help uphold Lincoln’s promise by, almost effortlessly, dispatching a letter or care package. You may ask, “What would a letter to a veteran contain?” I could easily write down how thankful I am for their service. In care packages, I can put a few small things, such as sweets, batteries, and books. This small action, taking only a little time out of my day, would show those serving our country that they are strongly appreciated. While I can’t physically complete the job required of our veterans, I can help them by encouraging them as they serve our country.
We as a community could also console the families of those enlisted. All of us could bring small gifts such as candies to assist with comforting them. Even though they are not serving overseas, families would also know that they are appreciated for going through hardships for us. A wife of a deployed soldier received an anonymous gift under her windshield wipers when he was deployed. There was an envelope containing two twenty-dollar bills and a note that thanked her and her husband for serving. The note read, “Him serving, and you waiting.” The note also told her to use the money for dinner for the two. Anybody could do uncomplicated tasks to thank veterans. If you have Internet access, you could go to the United Service Organizations’ website, known more commonly as the USO, to send a short message to a military family. Together as we prioritize putting our thoughts into action, we can fulfill Lincoln’s promise to veterans and their families.
Lastly, numbers of us could go to a veteran’s hospital in a town nearby. I belong to an organization called Junior Beta Club. As a club, we prioritize service projects, and our group could sponsor a project to encourage veterans who are receiving long-term care. There are a vast amount of things we could do for them, such as bringing treats, letters, gifts, or just ourselves. We could simply sing a song or read to them. The simple investment of time could make a difference in the day of someone who made a difference for our country. These are some other ways I could show recognition and gratefulness for their risks, sacrifices, and hardships.
Think about how veterans sacrificed their freedom, safety, and rights for us: our FREEDOM, our SAFETY, and our RIGHTS. In conclusion, I challenge everyone to take action. We must show veterans our appreciation. Together, we can honor them. Even the respect we exhibit today during this ceremony, sitting quietly and paying attention, is an action we can all do to honor the men and women who have kept our nation strong. Going forward, we must continue to look for ways to thank these brave, amazing men and women. Help soothe a military family. Send care packages and letters. Just try. Help me keep Lincoln’s promise to care for our veterans and their families. Thank you."
Pictured are Jessica DeMent (left) and Irene Huang (right).
