[Hullo, Nathaniel here. Upon request, Matthew kindly sent me what he could scrounge up of the VOD essays he has done. Here's his 2007 one. Enjoy, and thanks, Matt.]
My Role in Honoring America's Veterans
My great-grandfather died after WWII of shrapnel wounds. He was a veteran. They have fought, bled and suffered for our country. They have upheld the standard of Justice the world around. For protecting our country, they are honored. What is honor? How do I show it? I show it through observing holidays in memory and recognition of veterans, by supporting them through the government, and by personally supporting and interacting with them.
Honor is defined by Noah Webster as: "The esteem due or paid to worth; high estimation," and "reverence; veneration." We esteem veterans because of their worth; because of what they mean to this country. Without veterans, this country would not be free, would not be safe, would not be a place where we can pursue learning and art. As John Adams said, "I must study politics and war that my sons may have liberty to study mathematics and philosophy. My sons ought to study mathematics and philosophy, geography, natural history, naval architecture, navigation, commerce, and agriculture, in order to give their sons the right to study painting, poetry, music, architecture, statuary, tapestry and porcelain."
It is in honor that a special unit of the third U.S. Infantry continually guards the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, in the Arlington National Cemetery in Virginia. There the inscription on the tomb reads: "Here rests in honored glory an American soldier known but to God." The deep honor and emotion associated with this memorial serve to illustrate the worth America places on her veterans. So how do I, as a citizen, express this gratitude? For one thing, I observe the national holidays instituted in honor of veterans.
A holiday is a day set aside in recognition, honor, or commemoration. Memorial Day is a holiday Americans celebrate in commemoration of those veterans who have died in military service for their country; on memorial day, I remember those who have died to make me free, a very Biblical concept. I buy a poppy, which symbolizes the poppies of Flanders field, where so many soldiers died in WWI; young, full of life, and whose lives were suddenly cut short. Likewise, on Veteran's Day, I take some time to remember how much I appreciate all the people I know who have served in the military.
We also honor veterans by giving them preference in hiring for jobs; we know those who have served our country on the national level will do a good job on the local level. And, finally, I honor veterans in my personal interactions with them. When I see someone with a military bearing and wearing a uniform, I want to show them how much I appreciate all they have done, wether it involves opening the door for them, learning what they have to tell me, or just giving them a smile.
These are all ways I honor America's veterans, but it goes further than that. By being involved with my community and my government, I can show my continued support for the standards we have fought for. I can raise my children with a love for their country and a desire to protect it. And, most of all, I can pray for our country, the people it stands for, and the people who fought to keep it that way.
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