2015-2016 Veteran's Day Essay Winner
First Place:
Sheridyn Johnston
Different
The prospective soldier rest in the uncomfortable auditorium chiar, enthralled with the petty officer on stage. Thirty other students surround him, passing notes and anticipating lunch. He sits alone, completely ostracized and still barely able to hear the man. Everything seems to blend together: the words of the clamorous students suffocate his ears.
The bell rings; the future soldier exits the auditorium sluggishly, mentally exhausted from trying to grasp a minuscule amount of the officer's words. He feels as though he is entering a career field completely unprepared. His parents refute the idea of a career in the military, proclaiming that he needs a "real" job. He knows these words come from a place of fear, but, nevertheless, they fail to provide much needed support and optimism.
As he enters the cafeteria, an army recruiter greets students, handing them pamphlets they will probably throw away. The young soldier takes one, admiring the valiant warriors on the cover. He makes eye contact with the officers and offers a standard greeting, knowing they will most likely be cut off by a fellow student. The officer takes notice of his interest in the pamphlet, and, presuming, the armed forces. The future cadet affirms this and asks for any advice that would be helpful in starting his journey. The officer asks general questions about his SAT and ASVAB scores; he then asks about his support system and military knowledge. The adolescent averts his eyes, trying to avoid this unnecessary conversation. The recruiter regains the young soldier's attention and speaks with distinction. He encourages this young man to pursue his passion: anxiety and lack of support should not obstruct his goal. The bravery it takes to overcome such obstacles is only matched by the bravery it takes to serve one's country: adverse situations should not determine his future.
Fifteen years and several tours later, the soldier stands in an auditorium several hundred miles from his hometown: just over thirty, he is beginning to wrinkle slightly. His joints pain him; he needs to sit down and rest, but he knows the students are coming, however disinterest and unresponsive they may be. Some will diligently scroll through social media, completely oblivious to the information at hand. Others will blatantly disrespect him, shouting profanities and mocking the career he loves. But others, however small in number, will find genuine interest in the job. They will want to inquire about opportunities in the military, to stay after the program and speak personally with him. But they will not: they will restrain themselves lest their classmates laugh. They will allow anxiety and lack of support obstruct their passion for the future of America.
The auditorium fills with teenagers. He mentally rolls up his sleeves, and seeks to find himself in the crowd.
To all veterans: thank you for your bravery not only in the field, but at home as well. Thank you for making a change in a changeless society. Thank you for being different.
