Veterans of Foreign War's 'Voice of Democracy' Contest

First Place Winner

My Role in Honoring America’s Veterans

To honor America’s veterans is to honor their sacrifice. Honoring them is not something irrelevant or inapplicable for our generation. It’s our responsibility to honor and uphold those who have so selflessly laid down their very lives for the freedom of a nation that desperately relies on it. The men and women of our armed forces defend our country because they believe that freedom is worth fighting for no matter the hardship or heartache. If our soldiers can sacrifice themselves daily, while we go about our lives as we please, how much more then do we, at least, owe them our honor. We can honor them with our actions, with our attitudes, and with the way we choose to live. And those who take this responsibility are, indeed, true Americans. With our actions we can show honor and appreciation to our veterans. Visiting nursing homes where they reside or talking with veterans we actually know shows we truly care. By simply listening to them we can hear of the battles, the losses, the victories, the struggles, and the times of rejoicing. We can let them reminisce and speak their minds about the things in their youth that shaped who they later became. This honors who they are as people independently. Though I have not been given the privilege of speaking with many veterans, I imagine that it would not only honor them, but it would bring them joy to see that the youth of this generation have enough decency to care, listen, and cherish their memories with them.

An attitude of respect and honor can even go further than actions. Actions may “speak louder than words”, but attitudes speak still louder. We can honor our veterans by imitating their selflessness. The fact that these men and women chose to leave their homes and lay aside all of their comforts is in itself admirable. But beyond that, they gave of themselves that we might continue to live in the freedom we’ve come to love so much. Upon their decision of becoming soldiers, each one, past, present, and future has, and will always set an example. The example is set for the individuals who choose to watch and imitate the characteristic that marks their bravery and sets every one of them apart. It’s our opportunity to heed the impression they’ve made on our time, country and its people. It’s our privilege to esteem their accomplishments and dreams. And we’ve honored them when our attitude truly reflects their precedent of humility and nobleness.

Our lives should be lived honorably in order to pride our nation. Our soldiers fight to bring honor to our country and the same prospect rests on the shoulders of all Americans. We should not disrespect or disgrace any aspect of this nation or it’s armed forces by the way we choose to live. We are to stand by the convictions of our veterans and pride the nation by living in a way worthwhile. This includes educating ourselves, striving to better the things around us, being ambitious and never giving up on dreams, and learning from the past mistakes of others. Though some of us may never join the armed forces, we can still assist our soldiers and continue the legacy of our veterans by cherishing the country’s values and acting such that we uphold our lives and the life of the nation.

Once again, veterans deserve the utmost respect and honor for the sacrifice of their lives and their dedication of defending freedom. Our actions, attitudes, and lives will speak of the honor we place on their bravery, and, with that, we can choose to emulate their qualities of selflessness, courage, patience, and perseverance. When our nation’s thoughts turn to our soldiers and our veterans, and we grasp the implication of the sacrifice made in those moments of battle and war, and the prayers of our people cover them as our defenders, then will we yet not do enough to honor, cherish, and uphold these precious lives.

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