VFW Honors Three Stoughton High Students for Winning "Voice of Democracy" Essay Contest

Three students were recently honored at a for winning the Voice of Democracy essay contest here at the local level. 

Junior Will McGrath was the first place winner, receiving a $300 prize; sophomore Kassandra Melo came in second and received a $200 prize; and sophomore Julia Sjoquist came in third and received a $100 prize.

The students had to write an essay that when read aloud was 3-5 minutes in length, answering the question: "Is there pride in serving in our military?"

The took place on Sunday, May 20 at the in Stoughton. 

The full text of each of the winning essays is below: 

Will McGrath, 1st Place, "The Few, The Proud"

The Marine Corps summarizes service in one simple sentence: “The Few, the proud, the Marines”. The American people respect and idolize war heroes which encourages our soìdiers to be proud of their service and dedication to their country. But it is not just the marines, it is all branches of the military. There are some aspects in war that force soldiers to commit horrific acts but in the end it's justified by the freedom of the oppressed and crumbling of the oppressors. The U.S. Military saves innocent lives and countries in shambles, and if they cannot be proud of their servico then what can we take pride ín?

Pride comes with sacrifice and hard work. Military men and women must sacrifice their lives and leave their families to travel into the hostile uncertainty that is war. Men and women put their lives on hold to defend the United States, even leaving pregnant wives and newborn babies. Not to mention all soldiers are required to complete a grueling and extensive training program, which wears down the mental psyche and leaves the body in agony. Just getting through training earns the respect of many and only a small majority of Americans can call themselves U.S. Soldiers. Soldiers deserve the respect of the masses and earn their pride through blood, sweat, and tears. 

Being hunted by the enemy after flying or sailing to a foreign land is a tall task for all military men and women. lt takes the heart of a lion to dive into an uneasy and possibly deadly tour of duty, full of daily horrors. Serving in a war is the equivalent to being sent into a nightrnare: men savagely slaughtering each other while the cries of the injured ring out with a blood curdlirrg reality. To simply fight for a cause and die nobly is a feat worthy of ultimate respect. The deceased and living should be proud for enduring and valiantly standing up for their beliefs. Veterans, who watched family and friends die as brothers in arms, should be proud of their survival and take pride in the fact that they served at first as a common man but will live on forever as heroes. 

The United States prides itself on the justice and power of its military. By serving in the military each Soldier is defending our natiorfs sacred reputation with every bullet and every strike. Serving in the military is a very proud tradition for generation upon generation of families. When  overseas soldiers are not only representing themselves but are also representing the land of the free, equality, and strength that our nation has spent centuries building. Soldiers take pride in the fact that they are  able to carry on the reputation and legacy of THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. There is also the pride in bringing peace to countries who have never heard of democracy, virtually giving them a fresh new start. Where there is heroism in the fight for freedom there is a United States soldier and in turn the pride of being a true American hero. 

There is an immense amount of pride in serving in the military. Soldiers fight through the pain and suffering in order to bring forth love and joy. One who sacrifices and risks it all without hesitation should absolutely take pride in what he/she has accoinplished. The fact that each military man and woman clashes with almost insurmountable tasks yet seem to topple the evil in the world is something to be proud of. No matter what happened veterans should be proud for standing up and speaking for  those who have no voice. Every action, from private to the grave, should be deemed as heroic thus instilling pride in serving in the military.

Kassandra Melo, 2nd Place, "Pride in Serving our Military"

Today was the day - the day her father came home. Just moments before she stood anxiously in the airport clutching to her mother’s leg, looking up scared and unaware. She saw many families crowded in the room, showcasing similar anxious expressions to that of her own. Children held welcome home banners for their loved ones while close relatives and friends gathered in clusters holding pictures and flowers. Women held fast to their children's hands, pacing the room with searching eyes trying to find their husbands. Younger siblings were caught in a nervous anticipation waiting to see their older sisters and brothers. Awaiting mothers were excited for their children to come home. The plane landed and soon enough, soldiers filed into the room. Dressed in unanimous uniforms, they-were all greeted with smiles and hugs, laughter and crying. The room was overwhelmed with noise and emotions. She looked up, drowning in the sounds of welcome and joy. Where was her dad? She examined everyone that walked by her. Some stood tall and strong, others looked tired but brave. Others couldn’t walk. She noticed some men in wheel chairs, missing limbs, cut up and bruised, bound to a cast. They looked nervous for their family to see them this way. Yet they were greeted with the same hugs and crying like all the others. She turned around to see her father. He picked her up and whirled her around and gave her a giant hug. She thought for sure she’d forgotten how he looked like, being away for so long. Her mother wept and held onto him tight, smiling. She was so happy to be a complete family once more. Her father had left her and her mom for quite some time. There were moments he missed that she wished he was there for. However, she was happy her dad had left. She wasn't sure why, but at this moment she saw her father in a completely different light. He was her superhero. She was so proud of him and all those other soldiers who she had seen that day.

Everyday, brave men and women of our country enlist in the military. In doing so, they vow to protect the rights and freedom of the people of our nation, putting their lives on the line for strangers, they endanger making the sacrifice. For most, taking risks such as these is far too dangerous and overwhelming. However there are a select few who find a sense of peace in risking their lives for the nation they so dearly love. These people are the glue holding America together. True patriots, they survive and work for a common cause, keeping our families back home safe while they are in the heat of danger overseas. Why would someone work so hard and selflessly for people they have never met before? The answer is simple: pride. There is no greater reward than knowing that you have made a difference in the world - that you are helping your country. Although one piece to the greater puzzle, a single soldier has done all they can for their nation. There is no greater honor to have worked so diligently for a common cause, putting all you have on the table and knowing what you’ve done has helped a cause above yourself. For those who have been injured in war, they will always be constantly reminded of what they gave to their country and the sacrifices they made. For the families of those who have perished, there is no greater dignity than knowing that their loved ones died out of honor, bravery and selflessness. 

There is no greater pride than that of one who has served in the military. There is no greater satisfaction than that of a decorated veteran in uniform, showcasing their medals and ribbons, having complete strangers salute them and thank them for their services. Those who have served are the real superheroes of our nation. Putting themselves last and the  well being of their country and those living in it first, they would do anything for our nation. For this,it is only fit to be proud. The men and women who serve in our military are the greatest and proudest patriots of them all.

Julia Sjoquist, 3rd Place, "Pride in Red, White & Blue"

The jacket was covered with dust and the ends of the sleeves were covered with tiny moth holes. My feet were beginning to go numb on the cold cement floor as I pulled the jacket out of the crumbling cardboard box. It was navy blue with a symbol on the side of one of the shoulders. It had buttons that were once gleaming, but now were dim with rust. By the time I brought it up from its dirty resting place, I could hear my dad calling my name. I stumbled into the living room, weighed down by the jacket. Daddy got up abruptly when he saw the navy coat "Where did you get that, Jules?" he asked, with his arm outstretched. "I found it in the basement daddy," I mumbled. I looked up at him with shining eyes, and asked very politely, "Daddy, what is this?" He smiled and kneeled down in front of me. He gently fingered the edge of the coat and said softly, "Baby girl, this was your grandfather's. He served in the air force a long time ego." l smiled but I didn’t quite understand. "That’s when they fly the planes right?" He smiled, eyes crinkling and said, "That's when they fly the planes, yes, but it’s also where the brave go, where the selfless men go. That’s where our boys fight for us.” He sighed. l gave the coat over to him and I bit my lip. "I guess he was pretty important." He grinned and lifted me up and swung me around. Then he set me back on the ground and said, "Yes he was honey, yes he was." I was seven at the time. 

I never could understand, until recently, why people continuously put themselves at harm's risk for people they have never met. And I never understood why veterans you see sometimes, wearing their crisp blue uniforms, were always getting nods from strangers passing by. The men and women, who serve in our military, serve to protect the freedoms and principles of this country and the people who live in it. "It gives me a good feeling to know that there are some guys following in our footsteps to catch the banner when we fall." That quote, was written by a Vietnam Vet., who is currently living in a Veterans Home. That quote, for me, strikes as totally breathtaking in how one person can feel so strongly and proudly in something so much bigger than himself. And it is that selflessness in every soldier, from the youngest to the oldest that causes the pride that so many share with me. So, to roughly answer the question, is there pride in serving our country, I would say there is so much more than that. Serving our country is not about earning respect or medals, it's about fulfilling that need to protect and serve something worth protecting, in our case, the land of amber waves of grain and purple mountain majesties.