(Picture credit: Alan Glassman; Tom talking to the students)
As I pointed out here, I met up and interviewed / was interviewed by students from the Fellowship Christian Academy. During that time, they informed me that they were participating in the VFW’s Voice of Democracy; I offered to post their papers. Here is the first paper.
Guest post by Peter:
George Washington, born February 22nd 1732, died December 14th 1799 from extensive blood loss. Martin Luther King, born January 15th 1929, was assassinated April 4th 1968. In his honor America has set up a national Martin Luther King Day. Abraham Lincoln, born February 12th 1809, was assassinated by John Wilkes Booth on April 14th 1865. Looked at as one of the greatest American presidents, Abraham Lincoln is remembered for his honesty and Integrity. By looking at these facts, we can come to the conclusion that these people played a great role in not only America, but the world. One might ask, “How did these men achieve such greatness? “What qualities or characteristics made them different?” More importantly, “How do we follow in their footsteps, and how can we have an impact on the world around us.” So let’s ask the question, does my generation have a role in America’s future, and if so, what will the impact be?
The answer to this first question is clear; of course my generation has a role in America’s future. However, the answer to the second question is not so easily understood. In order to understand it, we need to look at the people who we know have impacted the world, and examine them and their lives. What did people like Lincoln, Luther, Washington, Einstein, Joan of Arc, Churchill, Alvin C. York and many more have in common? The answer is simple; they all possessed great ethics and morals, and were not afraid to stand up for what they believed in…
…Lincoln stood up against slavery and lived by what the Bible says about man being equal and created in God’s image (Gen. 1:27)/(Romans 10:12). George Washington believed in a free country and was willing to fight and put his life on the line for it. Einstein once said, “Try not to become a man of success, but rather try to become a man of value.” York took command during World War 1 and captured a machine gun nest, along with four officers, 128 men, and several guns. It is the very characteristics of ethics, morals, and the ability to apply them to their lives that made these men and women so great! Once you take a man or woman’s morals and ethics away, it is impossible for either of them to become great! Men like Adolf Hitler, and women like Elizabeth Bathory lacked a sense of ethics and morals. Hitler is responsible for the death of six million Jews, while Elizabeth Bathory is recognized by many as the most notorious female serial killer in history. Did they impact the world and society around them? Of course they did! The difference is the outcome of the impact. Because men like George Washington were not afraid to fight for their rights and freedom, we now live in a free and wonderful country unlike any other! On the other hand, tyrants like Hitler, Nero, and Mussolini are responsible for much disaster and blood shed.
After we have looked at these men and women we can go back to our original question. Does MY generation have a role in America’s future, and if so, what will the impact be? The reality is, whether we like it or not, we all reap what we sow. Are there still great men and women out there today from past generations? Of course there are. The veterans and everyone else involved in the military that we have today have the same exact desires that Washington and York had. Their ethics and morals impel them to fight for what they believe in. What will our impact be? It all depends on the choices and decisions we make in our own lives. It is vital that our generation gets involved in the communities around us and aspire to have the same qualities as these great men and women of the past and present. Can we make a difference even at our age? The answer is yes! Boys, girls, young men and women are already getting involved. From community service to the front lines in the war on terror people of our generation are stepping up to the plate to take on this responsibility. There has been an overwhelming death count of 4,000 troops in Iraq alone, yet our generation never ceases to fight for what they know is right. In 2009 an 18 year old man, James Holliday, from Fairfield CA, joined the race to become mayor of his town just four months after graduating high school. In Helena Texas teens gathered together and devoted the summer of 2010 to remodeling their city by whacking, trimming, sanding, painting, and chopping. William Penn once said, “I expect to pass through life but once. If therefore, there be any kindness I can show, or any good thing I can do to any fellow being, let me do it now, and not defer or neglect it, as I shall not pass this way again.” There is no doubt in my mind that if my generation continues to do these things, not only will we be able to impact America like Washington, Luther, and Lincoln, but we will impact the world.
