Gail Halvorsen During the late 1930s and early 1940s, World War II was in full force. Gail Halvorsen seemed to be one of the few that had hope. “Service is the bottom line to happiness and fulfilment”(Halvorsen). Halvorsen has been recognized countless times for his compassion, the idea, and the great impact he had on many people.…
The Department of Veterans Affairs has been helping veterans pursue their educational goals since 1944, when the Servicemen’s Readjustment Act commonly known as the GI Bill was signed into law. This act has been noted as being “one of the most significant pieces of legislation ever produced by the federal government” (www.benefits.va.gov) and one that has significantly impacted the millions of men and women that have served our country. Since then there have been many additions and variations to the original GI Bill, all of which now reside in law under Title 38 of the United States Code, however the goal has always been to assist veterans readjust into civilian life and provide these veterans educational opportunities that they may have missed…
The most recent addition is my younger brother who just recently graduated as a United States Marine. When I speak with them and listen to their stories I know each of them has made a difference to the world around them. Whether it is for myself, for the ones around me or my country, it is now my turn to take a step forward and make a difference. I can make a difference in the world in a variety of ways with an Air Force commission but I must first better myself. With this…
About ten years ago, I was broke, unemployed, sleeping on a friends couch and was going nowhere. However, now I have a respectable amount of assets, a career with upward mobility, and a nice home of my own. People that knew me ten years ago see me now and ask, “How did you turn yourself around?” The answer to their question is simple. I joined the Army and became all that I could be.…
I am profoundly devoted to service and have spent the past four years dedicated to improving my school and community. The activities and awards listed below represent my diverse interests and abilities. Throughout high school, I have strived to challenge myself by embracing greater responsibilities in multiple organizations in order to make a difference. I would like to highlight my work with the National Honor Society (NHS). Currently, I am president of my school’s chapter.…
Every day 50.4 millions children everywhere in America go to school. Little do we know what America is doing for us and the sacrifices made to ensure our success. The veterans of America give to our generation the protection of our freedom and rights, so we can grow and thrive to in turn, each do our part in America’s society. America’s veterans selflessly protected our freedom and rights. They have left their families and homes to go to war for our country.…
Being a member of this distinguished society is what I have strived towards since elementary school. Watching presentations and hearing stories from individuals in high school from a young age (who were at the time active National Honor Society members), inspired the archetype that I aspired to be –the archetype of an individual who shares the four characteristics that National Honor Society stands for: scholarship, service, leadership and character. Throughout my high school career, I worked towards the scholarship aspect. Despite where I am currently, my freshman year had not gone as well as I hoped it would.…
President Barack Obama presented the Medal of Honor award to a well known veteran, Captain William D. Swenson of the United States Army, for his heroism and bravery above and beyond the call of duty. During hours of combat, most of our veterans, like Swenson, did everything expected of leaders and more, keeping the ambushed unit fighting effectively, directing available fires, evacuating the wounded, and leading by example in repeatedly risking their personal lives and safety to retrieve wounded soldiers and Marines, Afghan allies and fallen comrades. In the president’s words, “(In) moments like this, Americans like Will remind us of what our country can be at its best – a nation of citizens who look out for one another; who meet our obligations to one another, not just when it is easy, but also when it’s hard. Maybe, especially when it’s hard.”…
Today, less than one percent of the population of the United States of America puts on an uniform to protect the liberties of 99 percent of the rest of the population and just over 8 percent of the population of all living Americans are veterans. If we gaze into the eyes of a veteran we can see the love for their country, strength for their families and a courage that is indefinable. Their self-determination often provokes us to ask ourselves,"For their selfless service and willing sacrifice for their nation, what do veterans need and deserve to reestablish themselves in the society?" Indeed Abraham Lincoln, America's 16th president, formally recognized the importance of veterans with his second inaugural speech and famous quote,"To care for him who shall have borne the battle and for his widow, and his orphan." President Lincoln's promise to care for those who shall have borne the battle ought to be one of the greatest privileges of an American citizen.…
For me, this wednesday carries a special personal significance as I go through 7th grade. This previous wednesday was Veterans Day, an opportunity to thank those men and women who have served in the U.S. military. It would seem that Americans, and young people in particular, have a hard time relating to veterans, let alone celebrating them, and for good reason. Our culture today increasingly portrays veterans as a group of mostly conservative, uneducated, ornery white men afflicted by a variety of mental illnesses and unemployment. While problems such as mental illness and veteran unemployment are real, the stereotypes they perpetuate do not present an accurate illustration of the veteran population as a whole, which is made up of countless…
This nation veteran inspired me to become a healthcare professional, because of the sacrifices they have made for our country. Many veterans have been injured during the long wars, with many suffering life-altering experiences that have left lasting physical and physiological scars. However, many veterans don’t receive their full benefits, especially where it comes to healthcare because of the backlog of the VA caused by the Global War on Terror, mental illness, or red tape. As the dependent of a recently deployed veteran, I have witnessed the firsthand the struggles of a veteran’s reintegration. My firsthand experience I was motivated to be an advocate for veterans by pursues a degree in healthcare in the public sector, in order to help our wounded veterans meet their full potential by first serving them through volunteering for them and their families.…
Before the Army I knew I was missing something in my life that made me the person I am now. Even though it is still very much a learning process and I am still learning I believe that I have come a long way in my professional and personal life as a soldier. As the days go by and I live my life as a soldier I wish to keep learning more from my experiences and keep growing as a soldier and a person. I want to continue my life serving my country and protecting the freedom of my…
An education makes a large difference in the civilian sector, and can lead…
My vision started to fail on mile four of the six-mile hike. Small white specks flickered across my field of vision. The next thing to go was my hearing, followed by my ability to walk in a straight line. My platoon sergeant saw the signs of heat stroke and forced me to stop. I should have stopped myself, but all I could think was: you will finish this, or you will die trying.…
During this time, I was broken down from the person I was, and they built me to be a better person. We went through hell and back, during the 2 and a half months we were there. I felt relieved when we graduated. After all the sweat and tears, I am finally able to say, “I am an honorable American Airman.” Before I left to join the military, I was still in high school…