Three Essay Contest Winners Come out of North High Class on War

To prepare for a military pride essay contest sponsored by the local VFW, Mike Nelson, a senior at North High, interviewed his mother, a 10-year Army veteran, and his grandfather, a WWII engineer.

Jon Dickhausen, a sophomore at North High, said he gained respect for the armed forces while writing the essay to answer the question “Is there pride serving in our military?”

“Before I was just like, ‘Anybody can join the military,’ but now I highly respect anybody who joins,” he said. “They’re putting their life on the line while we’re sitting here either doing games or watching TV or working for a living—they’re actually the real heroes.”

Nelson took home $100 for his first place finish in the Voice of Democracy contest, which VFW Post 1350 opened to students throughout region. Seventeen students from North High School competed in the contest.

The three winners—Nelson, Dickhausen and junior Lindsay Warner—all wrote their essays as part of social studies teacher Jim Honsa’s class “America at War.”

The fall course took an interactive approach to the military, with students studying tactics and strategy through hands-on activities.

“It’s almost like a science class that dissects the battles,” Honsa said. “It’s fun for the kids. We go outside and play strategy and tactics. Capture the flag—we went out two weeks ago when there was still snow on the ground. We play checkers where every piece is 1,000 men. Are you willing to sacrifice 1,000 men to win the battle?”

Dickhausen said that Honsa brought a Vietnam veteran into the classroom.

“He talked about the war and how he really didn’t like it,” Dickhausen said, “He said it was all jungly, flies were all over the place, it was horrible.”

In his essay, Dickhausen wrote about the importance of altruism for soldiers, of redirecting their individual desires.

“They have learned that the world doesn’t revolve around them and their desires and needs,” he wrote. “They have learned the true meaning of selflessness. They can have an inner peace knowing that what they do matters and is worthwhile. The pride they feel is well deserved.”

The students wrote three- to five-minute essays, recorded themselves reading their writings and sent it into the VFW on a CD.

Nelson, Dickhausen and Warner will compete for more prizes at the district level and, if they are successful, at the state level.

Text of Mike Nelson’s essay

Pride is defined as a feeling of pleasure from one’s own achievements, the achievements of those with whom one is associated. People have been serving in our military since the 13 colonies have been created. Many soldiers, airmen, sailors and marines have put their lives on the line for life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness for the American people. Our military has served in many countries around the world. Whether the American population agrees with war or not, these brave men and women have kept our country safe and free for over 200 years. What calls these brave individuals to do this? I believe it is Pride.

My mother who is a 10 year veteran of the US Army once told me that the reason she volunteered for the military was pride in her country. My grandfather, a very humble man, served in World War II as an Engineer and was publicly silent about his war experience.  When I talked privately, one on one with him, the emotions that he expressed was extreme pride in his ability to serve and honor in the missions his unit carried out. My personal interaction with both of these people has demonstrated to me that their service in the military was not for personal gain, but rather for what they could do for others. Growing up, these two people had a strong influence on me and I have learned their strong individual character, humbleness and self-confidence stems partially from their personal military experience.

As I have grown through High School, many of my older friends from church have enlisted in the military and are deployed in areas of combat. When I listen to why they sign-up and what they hope to gain from their experience, their reasons include pride in who they are and what they hope to become. It makes me think about possibilities of serving and the sacrifice that are made.  My friends, personal experiences and enthusiasm helps me understand the personal and willing sacrifices our servicemen give to their country.  All this executed with personal pride and pride for their country.

In WWII American Military personnel did what they could to fight and win the war. Recruiting was not an issue and upon returning to US soil they were heroes. 15 years later, the Vietnam War Veterans were not treated with the same respect as veterans who served in earlier Wars. Since then we have sent troops to fight in Bosnia, Iraq and Afghanistan and have one of the strongest militaries in history.   The dignity and pride these service personnel have is demonstrated in the impact they are making to people of all ages around the world.  It is more than being in the military, it is what they are doing to help make the entire world a better place.

Is there pride in serving in our military? …. yes!

Text of Jon Dickhausen’s essay

Just take a moment and go to a national cemetery. Look around and see how many men and women died to keep America free. The cost of war is huge, but necessary to make our great land free. The soldiers who fight believe in freedom at all costs. They are proud of America and what it stands for. Without their service our country would not be the land of the free.

I strongly believe that there is pride in serving in the military. Men and women in service have freely volunteered to put their lives on the line for others.  They are not only fighting to protect us, but also for the dignity and welfare of those too weak to fight for themselves. In First John 3:16 it reads, “There is no greater joy then to lay down your life for a friend.” Soldiers are called upon to be ready to defend and protect our country no matter the cost. Sometimes the costs are so high that people lose their lives in fighting for what is right.

Soldiers are well disciplined and self-reliant. They are well-educated and good leaders.  We can be proud of the men and women who are out in the field serving our country. Some of them put their dreams on hold for a while so that others can fulfill theirs.  They can learn technical skills in the military that they can use when they come back to civilian life. The skills and mental training that a soldier learns he carries with him throughout the rest of his life. He shows pride to his friends, family, and fellow comrades.  This pride that is inside him is with him through thick and thin, and through life and death.  He has learned to see the big picture in life.  Life is more than just thinking about you, it’s about helping and serving others.  Pride comes from the heart. In order to feel good about yourself, you have to be serving others. Soldiers are trained not only to kill, but also to serve and protect. They are loyal at all times.  They have learned that the world doesn’t revolve around them and their desires and needs. They have learned the true meaning of selflessness. They can have an inner peace knowing that what they do matters and is worthwhile. The pride they feel is well deserved.

Military men and women deserve our respect for all the things they do or have done for our country. From the revolutionary war to the war on terrorism, many men and women have laid down their lives to keep our country free and united. We should always give them the utmost respect because they are the ones who have true pride.