Rinda Beach
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There’s More to a Soldier, More to a Veteran

11/10/2017

1 Comment

 
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1.    What inspired Jesse to serve in the military?
2.    Name two ways Jesse is living the stories of the men and women from the VFW hall. Eleven are listed in the post.
3.    Name one way you can serve your school or your community.
Answers are at the end of this post

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​This is my Facebook friend, Jesse. He’s a West Point grad, army lieutenant, and Afghanistan veteran. For Veteran’s Day I wanted to do something from a military point of view, so I asked Jesse.
 
This is Jesse in action, on patrol in Kandahar, Afghanistan. He paused for a photo with 2 other soldiers, but he said there’s more to a being a soldier than going on patrol. I googled military jobs. There are 150, ranging from cook to dentist to mechanic.
 
When I interviewed Jesse, I was surprised to learn he never wanted to be a soldier. That sounds like me. I’m a principal’s daughter, and I never wanted to be a teacher. Jesse and I should never have said never.
 
Everything changed for Jesse when he competed in the Voice of Democracy contest in high school. You can compete too. Contact your local Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) for details. You start at the local level. If you do well enough, you go to nationals and can earn up to $30,000 for college. That’s a nice chunk of change! When Jesse competed in 2010, America had been at war for 10 years. He wasn’t interested in a military career, but, listening to local veterans inspired him. It changed him, forever.
 
I had to ask how. How could talking to a bunch of old men/women change your mind? Jesse answered, that as he listened, he heard a common thread, that military service was the defining point in their lives. Not only did these people come of age, they became civically aware in a way he’d never seen before. These veterans were actively involved in their communities, finding problems and solving them. They were leaders in their communities. They made a difference, and for Jesse, this contest was a defining moment in his life.
 
I wanted this to be Jesse’s story so I asked what he’d like to say. He answered, “Being a soldier is more than wearing 60 pounds of body armor and carrying an assault rifle. It’s a commitment to others, to the left and the right, to the idea of America, and the ideas that make America unique. This commitment stays with you after you’ve served and takes on a different form. The veterans you see in your community, are inspired by their service to continue serving others.”
  
Then he said, “I’m living the stories of the old men and women in the VFW hall.” I asked how. How are you like those men from WWII, Korea, or Vietnam? He answered:
-        Those veterans talked about tough times spent away from home.
-        Time spent navigating army bureaucracy to get the things you or your men needed.
-        In dangerous settings, looking out for the guy to your left, and your right.
-        Jumping out of planes to complete a mission.
-        Marching towards an enemy you’ve never seen or met, because you are committed to the mission, and to the people around you.
-        Riding in an armored vehicle that opens to a blast of sand and mud huts poking up out of a desert. You see fields where villagers eke out a living. You’re here because your commitment required it, whether you’re welcome, or not.
-        You meet kids who might throw rocks at you one day, then ask for candy and pens the next. They use limited English and their hands to communicate.
-        You return to the base to talk with your buddies about what you’ve seen and heard, happy to see another day.
-        You’re rudely awakened by rockets attacking your base.
-        You eat poor army food, disgusting but edible, whether they’re from a cafeteria or MRE (meal ready to eat). BTW, they even come with a heating element.
-        Some nights you sleep in the open air, looking at the stars, but ready for action.

Wow, I can’t imagine living this life. I always thought teaching was hard, at least the way I did it. I gave of myself every day for my students. Looking back, it was the only way I could be the teacher I wanted to be. But, as tough as teaching was, it does not compare to what our military does every day. So today, and all days when you see a soldier or a veteran, please think why you’re thankful for their service. Be specific. If you’re in doubt, pick a fact from this post that means something to you.
 
So, I’ll finish by saying, “Jesse, thank you for your service, for giving your time and talent to the mission, instead of taking an easier route.” ​


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There’s More to a Soldier, More to a Veteran
1.    What inspired Jesse to serve in the military?
He was inspired by meeting and talking to veterans while competing in the Voice of Democracy Contest.
2.    Name two ways Jesse is living the stories of the men and women from the VFW hall.
-        Those veterans talked about tough times spent away from home.
-        Time spent navigating army bureaucracy to get the things you or your men needed.
3.    Name one way you can serve your school or your community.
Example: I can help at school by working with students who’re having trouble on a paper.
I can help my community by cleaning up trash I see in my neighborhood.

1 Comment
Rinda Beach
11/16/2017 04:50:26 pm

Thank you Rinda, it was a perfect reading for me none of us do this looking for appreciation. You met me after I had already served 3 years in the Marines, but I remember at Lima Senior looking around after Graduation wondering what do I do now? The Marines found me and kept hounding me for months I’m Thankful I listened, and earned the rights to be called a Marine. The most important life skill I learned was self-esteem trust me before than I lacked that, but becoming a Marine I learned these 14 Marine Corps Leadership Traits that I used throughout my lifetime:

JUSTICE

Definition: Justice is defined as the practice of being fair and consistent. A just person gives consideration to each side of a situation and bases rewards or punishments on merit.

Suggestions for Improvement: Be honest with yourself about why you make a particular decision. Avoid favoritism. Try to be fair at all times and treat all things and people in an equal manner.

JUDGMENT

Definition: Judgment is your ability to think about things clearly, calmly, and in an orderly fashion so that you can make good decisions.

Suggestions for Improvement: You can improve your judgment if you avoid making rash decisions. Approach problems with a common sense attitude.

DEPENDABILITY

Definition: Dependability means that you can be relied upon to perform your duties properly. It means that you can be trusted to complete a job. It is the willing and voluntary support of the policies and orders of the chain of command. Dependability also means consistently putting forth your best effort in an attempt to achieve the highest standards of performance.

Suggestions for Improvement: You can increase your dependability by forming the habit of being where you're supposed to be on time, by not making excuses and by carrying out every task to the best of your ability regardless of whether you like it or agree with it.

INITIATIVE

Definition: Initiative is taking action even though you haven't been given orders. It means meeting new and unexpected situations with prompt action. It includes using resourcefulness to get something done without the normal material or methods being available to you.

Suggestions for Improvement: To improve your initiative, work on staying mentally and physically alert. Be aware of things that need to be done and then to do them without having to be told.

DECISIVENESS

Definition: Decisiveness means that you are able to make good decisions without delay. Get all the facts and weight them against each other. By acting calmly and quickly, you should arrive at a sound decision. You announce your decisions in a clear, firm, professional manner.

Suggestions for Improvement: Practice being positive in your actions instead of acting half-heartedly or changing your mind on an issue.

TACT

Definition: Tact means that you can deal with people in a manner that will maintain good relations and avoid problems. It means that you are polite, calm, and firm.

Suggestions for Improvement: Begin to develop your tact by trying to be courteous and cheerful at all times. Treat others as you would like to be treated.

INTEGRITY

Definition: Integrity means that you are honest and truthful in what you say or do. You put honesty, sense of duty, and sound moral principles above all else.

Suggestions for Improvement: Be absolutely honest and truthful at all times. Stand up for what you believe to be right.

ENTHUSIASM

Definition: Enthusiasm is defined as a sincere interest and exuberance in the performance of your duties. If you are enthusiastic, you are optimistic, cheerful, and willing to accept the challenges.

Suggestions for Improvement: Understanding and belief in your mission will add to your enthusiasm for your job. Try to understand why even uninteresting jobs must be done.

BEARING

Definition: Bearing is the way you conduct and carry yourself. Your manner should reflect alertness, competence, confidence, and control.

Suggestions for Improvement: To develop bearing, you should hold yourself to the highest standards of personal conduct. Never be content with meeting only the minimum requirements.

UNSELFISHNESS

Definition: Unselfishness means that you avoid making yourself comfortable at the expense of others. Be considerate of others. Give credit to those who deserve it.

Suggestions for Improvement: Avoid using your position or rank for personal gain, safety, or pleasure at the expensive of others. Be considerate of others.

COURAGE

Definition: Courage is what allows you to remain calm while recognizing fear. Moral courage means having the inner strength to stand up for what is right and to accept blame when something is your fault. Physical courage means that you can continue to function effectively when there is physical danger present.

Suggestions for Improvement: You can begin to control fear by practicing self-discipline and calmness. If you fear doing certain things required in your daily li

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    When I write, I can only have one voice in my head, mine.  A little noise is fine.  But too much, or worse yet, WORDS, and I must change rooms or pull out headphones.  Then I can write on!

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  • Home
  • About Me
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    • LAKE FUN FOR YOU AND ME
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