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…
… those who at an early age fought for our country during World War II. They were in their late teens and early twenties when they went off to a foreign land to fight fascism and dictatorship. My grandfather was one of those young men in that generation. On December 7th, 1941 he and his family arrived home from church. When his father turned on the radio for the news, the shocking story about Pearl Harbor was on. The next day after school, he and four of his friends went down to the Army recruiting center to sign up. He was just the young age of seventeen, not too many years older than I am now. Within a year, my grandfather was eighteen years old and flying combat missions in Asia-Pacific defending our country. He was not alone; there were many other very young men just like him taking patriotic responsibility.
Just like that young generation, my generation should rise to the occasion to make the world a better place.
Young people today should realize that even at a young age they can make a difference in many ways for our country. To me, the current standards for leadership are low, and need to be raised to a level that is equivalent or higher than generations past. How can we expect future leaders to solve the county’s debt and economic problems when the current standard is to live beyond your means and spend money out of control? If my generation is to make a difference in the country’s future, they need to set the bar higher and take responsibility at a young age like my grandfather’s generation did.
Some of the older kids in my generation are already off to a good start. Many of them signed up for military service right after 9/11 just like Pearl Harbor. There are also some young people getting involved with volunteerism and community service. Take, for instance, Dylan DeSilva,, a 16-year old from Cape Cod who made 500 care packages to send to our troops.
Getting involved and educated in social issues and government at an early age, will make us better prepared to deal with the future and make things better. Our High School Government teacher, Mr. Russ Glines, has taken his students on field trips to political rallies, campaign headquarters and even encourages them to make phone calls for candidates they support. Education overall is very important to getting an early start in leadership, discipline and responsibility.
If my generation diligently strives to do this and to remember mistakes previous generations have made, we will not be condemned to repeat them. My hope is that my generation will make a positive contribution to the future of this country and leave it a better place than we found it.
