"One Day Isn't Enough"

I recently received this in an email from a friend and fellow veteran, while I haven't attempted to authenticate it I think it is worthy of printing regardless of who wrote it or what their age. If in fact a twelve-year-old girl wrote it, I commend her. We need more young people who think this way.

The following is a verbatim copy of the winning entry at Lakeview Middle
School for a Memorial Day Contest sponsored by Jackson Center Boro. A 12-year-old girl named Trina Jewell wrote this. As a veteran I was very moved by this peace. Many times we don't give our younger generation enough credit for having these kinds of feelings.

This young lady won a 100-dollar savings bond but I really felt she
needed some additional recognition. I am putting this on the Internet in
hopes of generating some encouragement and recognition for Trina. Please
forward this to anyone who would enjoy her tribute to the veterans on
this up coming Memorial Day.

Dennis C Winger
wingerdc@certainty.net

"One Day Isn't Enough"

by Trina Jewell, Age 12

Everyone has their own opinion about different holidays. My
opinion about Memorial Day is that it's a great day to honor soldiers,
our freedom, and all those who fought to protect us.

This is not your typical story of one man but a story about millions of brave men who have fought in many wars and conflicts to keep America's freedom and beliefs alive. There comes a time in everyone's life when they must stand up for their beliefs. For the veterans their beliefs were for freedom and democracy. There have been tyrants around since the beginning of time and there has always been men who have stood up to them, but in America we unite and we all stand up for them. Sometimes it means dying for your beliefs, but in every veterans heart giving their life for our country to be free would be a
great honor. A lot of wives and parents have gotten the news that their child was killed defending our country. Although they were sad they were also proud to have children that believed in our way of life and were willing to give their life to support it.

Freedom is a very word that is often overlooked by the average person, but a veteran knows that freedom isn't free. People have been trying to take our freedom since the Declaration of Independence was signed, but the more they try the harder America fights. America owes its freedom to all of its veterans who have fought every person and notion who have challenged our freedom. Often they gave their lives, but they will never regret the hard fought battles they fought for our right to speak, walk, work and do what we want. That is a right that has been protected for us by veterans. For over 200 yrs. Not only do we owe our lives to veterans, but everything that we do or want to do is because they fought and died for our right to do it.

A lot of young men enlisted in the armed forces on their own, but a lot got a letter in the mail saying that they had been drafted. They were scared, but they were more than willing to serve their country. It don't matter how rich or poor you were, once you were enlisted you were all the same. None wanted to go to war but if called on they would fight with all the courage they had, and if you needed help the rest of the men were there. They weren't behind you, but beside you, all more than willing to help carry the burden. America has never and will never lose our freedom thanks to all the people who have fought for our rights. Not all came home, but none will be forgotten.

Nobody ever wants to go to war, but when it happens America has never had a shortage of volunteers to go and fight for our country. Some volunteers were as young as 14, they had to lie to enlist, but fighting for their country was worth it to them. Even when drafted the men came and fought, all of them willing to give there life for their country. We have lost a lot of men and women in wars, but America remains free. In my heart the veterans deserve more than just one day to honor them. A month would not even be enough to thank them for the sacrifices they had made for all of America.

Anytime you do anything, you should thank a veteran, because
without their sacrifices you would not have freedom to do anything. So
in my opinion one day a year is not enough.

Trina Jewell I commend you on this essay! It is wonderful to hear such things from America's youth.

SlagleRock Out!

Posted by SlagleRock at May 28, 2004 04:42 PM