Why is the Veteran important today?

Three Waseca high school students submitted written essay’s answer the question, “Why is the Veteran important?” 

The following is penned by first place winner Stormie Schmidt. Her essay will be submitted at the district level for competion, in addition, she earned a $200 scholarhsip for her work. Here is here essay, titled, Veterans Importance:

American politician and attorney John Doolittle once said, “America’s Veterans have served their country with the belief that democracy and freedom are ideals to be upheld around the world.” Many may ask why is it important to recognize veterans? What have they done for me? Veterans are men and women who have put their lives on the line to fight for the freedom of Americans. To further explain the importance of veterans, I will tell you about my dad. 

At the age of 20 my dad joined the U.S. Navy; he was a Gunners Mate. My dad served though the Gulf War and Desert Storm. Here he was exposed to multiple unidentified gasses, which would later result in a neurological disease known as ALS. ALS attacks the nerve system that is in control of voluntary muscle movements such as chewing, walking and talking. My dad was honorably discharged for his duties in 1992. In 2016, my dad was officially diagnosed after six long years of “not knowing” why he was getting so sick. The disease slowly started and later intensified causing breathing problems, muscle weakness, heart failure, and lung failure. Though this time, my dad never stopped being proud of serving; he talked many times to me about “doing it all over again for his country.” For him becoming a veteran for the United States was one of his proudest accomplishments. He was proud of the work that he had done and believed that without others like him, our nation wouldn't be as strong of a democracy as it is. Unfortunately, in 2018, my dad lost his battle with ALS. When people remember him, they talk about how proud he was being a U.S Navy veteran who fought for Americans' freedoms. I will remember him as the man who instilled the importance of our freedoms and the sacrifices that went into getting them.

My dad was only one of many veterans who have gone through the same experiences or similar ones. My point in sharing his story was not to make you feel sorry for me but to show what veterans go through even after leaving the front lines. These men and women do not join the armed forces for the free college benefits or being called a hero; they join because they are genuinely proud of this country and want it to continue to thrive as a strong, independent democracy. Without them, we wouldn't have the freedoms we do today. Veterans are the heart and soul of this great nation that we are blessed to live in. We need to continue to express gratitude and teach the younger generation the importance and sacrifice these powerful men and women have gone through.

I will leave you today with a quote from Elmer Davis which I believe encapsulates the importances of our veterans: “This nation will remain the land of the free only as long as it is the home of the brave.”