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OK, took a wee bit of time for other things – time for me to get back to these papers!  Latest one is now from Christi (previous: Previous papers were from  Peter, Maggie, Laura, Kathryn, Grace & Tim, Catherine, Ben, Tyler, Jillian, & Michael)

A wise man once said, “Be the change you want to see in the world.” The man who spoke these words was Mahatma Gandhi, a very influential leader who changed all of India. So in answer to this question, yes, I do believe that my generation does play a role in America’s future but the role which we will play is dependent upon each individual of this generation.

Martin Luther King Junior was probably one of our country’s most inspiring leaders. He was born on January 15, 1929 in Atlanta, Georgia. He was smart, well raised, and had almost everything a child could want except one thing: freedom. Although he was able to live as a free man he did not have the basic rights every human deserves. He was treated as second-class citizen and, almost as the member of an entirely different race, but none of this held him back. “I have a dream” he shouted on the steps of Lincoln’s Memorial, “I have a dream that one day this nation will rise up and live out the true meaning of it’s creed: ‘We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal’” These very words forever changed the heart of America in a way no one thought possible. This one man was able to…

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Well, yes sir – one more paper to present; as I said, this was an entire class that came to Ovide Lamontagne’s "Return to Red" event now almost two weeks past.  This one is from Tyler (previous papers were from  Peter, Maggie, Laura, Kathryn, Grace & Tim, Catherine, & Ben).

After speaking with Republicans Kelly Ayotte and John Stephen at a recent political rally, I am well aware of what may become of the future generations of our country. The current generation leading our country has brought us into immense amounts of debt to other countries. Having to pay off debt that I don’t owe to the government isn’t what I had in mind for my future. Does my generation have a role in the future of the United States of America? Yes! Who else will be here when our current leaders are gone? But is it that simple? Things for our country will not get better without hard work and dedicated people.  What else can we do other than just sit back and wait for the next generation of leaders to take their place? Will that bring change? People say, “We can! We can make a difference!” But when will we? After talking with media, politicians, and teachers, I have found ways for the young people of my generation to get involved and make a change. A very easy way to start is to hold signs at popular stores, intersections, and even posting signs in your front yard. I volunteered at the GOP headquarters in Salem, NH to do phone-banking and it is a great way to get the word out and support your politicians. You can even talk to your politicians by calling them, showing up at rally’s, and even emailing them. One very important thing to keep in mind is that one voice can make a difference. You can be heard! An 18 year old named Andrew Edwards is running for County Commissioner is Kentucky. The Talmud said, “Blessed is the generation in which the old listen to the young; and doubly blessed is the generation in which the young listen to the old”. Edwards is young and he is getting involved in running for County Commissioner!

Being able to run at such a young age is…

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Does my generation play a role in America’s future?

Just like I said – an entire class!

“It is incumbent on every generation to pay its own debts as it goes." A principle which if acted on would save one-half the wars of the world.” This is a quote by our great former president, and one of America’s founding fathers, Thomas Jefferson. I believe that with each passing generation, this quote has been more and more demolished. If you look back to the time of Thomas Jefferson and the rest of our founding fathers, I don’t know of anyone that wouldn’t agree with one statement: our world is a different place now then it was then. Too many generations have passed where no one has acted upon their responsibility as an American citizen and a part of the future of America. Every generation has or had a role in the future of our great country. How they handled that is a completely different story. Our country is not a place that reflects the words of our Declaration of Independence anymore. This greatly known document reads, “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.” I ask one thing – when is the last time that we paid any attention to these true and powerful words of one of the most famous documents in America’s history? It is time we realize that we have strayed far from the principals that the founding fathers tried to establish our country upon. It is time we humble ourselves before our creator and acknowledge that we have greatly forgotten His plan for our country. It is time to take on the responsibility that many generations have seemed to overlook. Our generation needs to play a role in establishing a better future for America.
               
When was the last time you met a teenager or young adult that would honestly be able to tell you that they don’t go…

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 (Picture credit: Alan Glassman; FCA students with John Stephen) 

Lots of kids – lots of papers.  What is undeniable, however, is their optimism is there (as well it should be).  However, this paper rings a note of truth – spot it.  

Does My Generation Have a Role in America’s Future?

In 1998 journalist Tom Brokaw published a book entitled The Greatest Generation. In it, he wrote these words: “It is, I believe, the greatest generation any society has ever produced.” He was referring to the millions of Americans who were raised amid the Great Depression, fought World War II, and returned home to firmly establish America as the most powerful nation on earth. These heroic men and women had not only the willingness and perseverance to accomplish what to them must have seemed impossible, but also the humility to use these abilities to benefit others. To me, these accomplishments pose a question. Does my generation have a role in America’s future? Assuming it does, will this role be positive or negative?

I have to admit, at first glance, my initial assessment is not encouraging… 

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Next up in the Voice of Democracy line up is Ben – and we still have more papers coming in.  I do hope that they all tell me how they do in the VFW’s competition (that’s a hint, Mr. Glines!). Previous submissions: : Peter, Maggie, Laura, Kathryn, Grace & Tim, & Catherine.

And then I’ll let them know how they do with ours!  Once all posted, we’ll run a "Vote the Paper" contest!

Speaking of Mr. Glines:

  
My generation’s role in the future of our country can best be enhanced by George Santayana who said, “Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it.” Two generations ago was labeled the “greatest generation”. Using veterans from that era as an example, my generation should have a goal to be as good, if not better, at forging the future of this country. I believe my generation does have a role in America’s future. Among my generation are the future local, state and national leaders.
    
There are many challenges in today’s world like the energy crisis, feeding the hungry, military uncertainty, and the economy. Also there are evil men and terrorists trying to do harm to people. Two generations ago young adults rose to face the challenges of their day. They gave their lives to protect Europe and America from evil. Also, they faced challenges like the Great Depression. We can learn from the past in order to improve our future. My generation can solve our current challenges that our leaders face today with new ideas and leadership.
    
Take for example…

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And the papers keep coming on in!  You keep them coming, students, and we’ll keep posting them up.  This is  per is from Tim; previous submissions: Peter, Maggie, Laura, Kathryn, & Grace.

A corrupt government that controls virtually everything, growing crime rates, and few people that mean to do good things.  Face the facts: we live in a world that’s not perfect and can never become perfect.  One thing we can do is make the world a little bit better.  This is the duty of our generation.

Our generation is the future.  This means that we need to plan ahead to be able to change the bad policies and corrupt government.  We are already seeing it all around us.  Rising taxes, inflation, a failed stimulus package, and selfish, self-seeking politicians.  We need to recognize and understand these failures so we are able to fulfill our duty and fix them.  The reasons for tax hikes in this country are failed stimuluses, government control, and raising salaries for Congressmen.  The politicians are concealing their back-room deals and their first priority is not the people they are supposed to be representing.  They are trying to get money for themselves.  The government is corrupt and it needs to be changed.  This is part of my generation’s duty.

I am the person who will change the future.  I am…

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(Picture credit: Alan Glassman; FCA students talking with Kelly Ayotte [now, Senator-elect from NH])  

Here is the seventh of the VFW’s Voice of Democracy project papers that are being submitted by students of Fellowship Christian Academy – this is Catherine’s (previous submissions: Peter, Maggie, Laura, Kathryn, Grace & Tim):

Ronald Reagan once said that “each generation goes further than the generation preceding it because it stands on the shoulders of that generation. You [the future generations of America] will have opportunities beyond anything we’ve ever known.” Is this not true? Are the opportunities that surround my generation of Americans anything less than gifts bestowed upon us from those brave enough to make a difference throughout our history? If it were not for their absolute dedication to this country, where would we be today, in 2010? The answer to this question is so painfully obvious, yet so rarely acknowledged. We would be nowhere had it not been for the trailblazers of America. Those who took life-changing chances, believing in their hearts that they could and would impact the future; people such as soldiers, who stormed Iwo Jima, who braved the beach of Normandy on D-day, who conquered once and for all tyranny at Yorktown… people just like you and me.
    
We, the next generation of America, have a choice to make. A choice to stand up and take advantage of the countless opportunities that are out there waiting to be discovered, waiting for us to take hold of them and move forward. Why should we allow the innumerable sacrifices made on our behalf go to waste? We cannot let them slip through our fingers. To do so would be nothing less than to waste the blood and tears of so many Americans. We must remember that, as Henri Amiel once said, “Sacrifice still exists everywhere, and everywhere the elect of each generation suffers for the salvation of the rest.”
    
So what? …

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Now that the election is over, it is time to continue to see what the next generation believes its position within our Republic will be; Kathryn’s paper is next!

(Picture credit: Alan Glassman; class picture with John Stephen)  

Previous submissions (this is number four): Peter, Maggie, Laura.

Yes, in fact, my generation IS America’s future. Our everyday choices in life such as voting, holding signs, our religious beliefs, following the law, and training to become good leaders are very important in shaping America’s tomorrows. We have a responsibility to our elders who will not be with us in the coming years. People in the future will look back at what we do now, just as we look back at the actions of our past leaders. We can make a difference in the future of our country by the decisions we make right now.

Voting is one of the best ways to secure the leaders that we want in our government in the years to come. Although some of us are too young to vote, we can still help in the process of choosing the right candidates. One way of doing this is getting signs to hold at street corners or to put in our front yards. Before we do this however, we should make sure that we do research on all the candidates to make sure we are choosing the best ones. Another thing we can do is talk to our parents about who they are voting for and discuss their reasons.

Our religious beliefs…

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