2017-2018 Veteran's Day Winners: Poem

First Place: Braydon Kiser, Junior.

"If I should die, think only this of me”

- World War I War Poet, Rupert Brooke, in “The Soldier” Ode to a Soldier Not Forgotten Here he stands, brass buttons shining, my boy- Chest puffed, chin outthrust, hair cut razor sharp. O’ Lord, I pray thee, hear this mother’s plea: That your angels would cover this, my boy. My boy, willing to give his life for a Banner, to protect, to serve, to defend - To have his blood shed on foreign soils, His last breath evading him, my boy. My boy, defending with alacrity Those hallowed and inalienable rights. May these values and principle guide him, lest he fall defending us, my boy. And thus, by preserving our liberty, He becomes a part, preserved within it- Immortalized by the ambrosial Nectar of lady liberty, my boy. My Boy, saintlier than many before By the sacrifice he has made, my boy.

Second Place: Zachary Robinson, Junior.

What Do They Sense?

Here I lay down, as my mind roams

As I think about the ones who sacrifice

Everything they have for others

These people; I know them, you know them

I think about them; I dream about them

I see the land, the one I protect

The one that I stand on, the one that ties everyone together

The one that shines like the sun

I respect this land, I am loyal to this land

I love our land

I roam the water, the open sea

The beautiful reflection, the wild nature

Surrounding the land of my friends; my family

I protect the doors to our nation

I love our land

I support others, I assist my fellow fighters

I prepare for whatever calls our name

I am prepared to help the ones I love

My family as well as countless others

I love our land

I fly above, in the skies representing the freedom

Of our glorious nation

I strive for excellence and for integrity

As I pass through the light filled clouds of hope

I love our land

I regulate this land, and the coast on the outside

I enforce the rules of the land and what surrounds it

I go hand in hand with the others with respect

For them and the land we all share

I love our land

These roles exemplify character

Character that can and should be seen

Through everyone who lives on the land

Where the flag breathes life into its inhabitants

I love the land where I lay, as my mind roams

Third Place: Holden Cravy, Junior.

“Anchors Aweigh, my boys,

Anchors Aweigh.”

-Lieut. Charles A. Zimmermann

What We Learn. The Navy Through The Eyes of a Veteran.

The black sky and freezing cold Wind of Illinois biting at the skin,

The raucous barking of the commanding officers toward the young new recruits,

The dog bowl hats hovering highly on the heads of high hoped rickies,

The jingle of the dog tags during every step displaying one’s true identity,

And the crisp clean bell bottom dungarees that were the uniform to all.

To see the world, to serve my country, and to better myself.

The reasons in which I chose the United States Navy above all

The three words that will forever be drilled into my brain:

Honor, Courage, Commitment

To see the world, to serve my country, and to better myself.

Honor-

The most important value of the three.

The privilege of being able to serve the best country known to man;

Teaching respect for oneself and those around them in and out of military life.

Respect for your commanding officers, for your country, and for your shipmates

Honor and being in the military meant patriotism at its highest

To see the world, to serve my country, and to better myself.

Courage-

Enlisting, going through the stages of boot camp, wondering where will home be.

Feeling like nothing but a meek lamb,

But emerging as bold as a lion due to the confidence gained through basic training.

Achievement and purpose are two attributes you add to your arsenal

To see the world, to serve my country, and to better myself.

Commitment-

This is where you learn the true meaning of the word commitment.

You gain a sense of protection for the people of the country you serve;

The company you are in is the definition of teamwork,

If one person fails the whole company fails.

Your life is no longer about you, but about serving your country and those within it.

To see the world, to serve my country, and to better myself.

The reasons in which I chose the United States Navy above all

The three words that will forever be drilled into my brain:

Honor, Courage, Commitment

#VeteransDay #Contests #20172018Contests