December 9, 2022 Submitted by Hingham Veterans' Services
Hingham Director of Veterans' Services SCPO Keith Jermyn, USN (Ret.) wishes to call attention to a very special December event honoring local youth who entered an essay contest with the Hingham Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) William R. Cutler Post 6053.
The Patriot Pen and Voice of Democracy essay contest encourages young minds to examine America’s history, along with their own experiences in modern American society. Students entering the contest are required to draft a 300 to 400-word essay, expressing their views based on a patriotic theme chosen by the VFW Commander-in-Chief.
This year's theme was: "My Pledge to Our Veterans."
Nine students will be honored including three students from Saint Paul School and three Hingham Middle School students receiving first, second and third place Patriot Pen awards and three Hingham High School students receiving first, second and third place Voice of Democracy awards.
Each winner will be presented with a check, a Commemorative Medal, and a Certificate of Achievement.
WHEN:
Saturday, December 10, 2022 at 10 a.m.
Doors open at 9:30. Coffee, light breakfast and refreshments will be provided. A tour of the GAR Hall will follow the awards ceremony.
WHERE:
Hingham Grand Army of the Republic Hall
358 Main Street
Hingham, MA 02043
WHO:
VFW Post Commander
Hingham Select Board Chair Bill Ramsey
Contest winners and their families
Patriots Pen Essay Contest Winners:
1st Place: Katelyn Erickson, 12th grade
Essay:
Veterans. We, as Americans, live a life of freedom and liberty, thanks to our heroes. From the Revolutionary War to modern day, veterans have fought to create and save this country. Through thick and thin, American soldiers have held up their guard and never given up despite the loss, fatigue, and overall hardship that they were enduring.
The United States would not exist if not for the soldiers that put aside their fear to fight. The awareness of death loomed over these warriors constantly, but they chose courage and bravery so that others didn’t have to experience the same terror.
On almost all occasions since the United States gained independence, American soldiers have been victorious. A result of hard work, determination, and, especially the cooperation of thousands of men and women far away from home. And finally, they return home with a sense of pride and accomplishment and never forget their fallen soldiers and comrades. All veterans sacrificed their lives for Americans, as well as others on the battlefield who lost their ability to move but still put up a fight in spirit.
Veterans are our country’s history. The men and women who have endured the terrible conditions that we learn about in history class. The trenches filled with rats and a common place for shell shock to the sight of thousands of starving kids, dead civilians, and mangled friends who got unlucky in their fight. The soldiers return home with a story; stories that can make both happy and sad tears come to your eyes. A story of a lost comrade who sacrificed his life for five others by landing on a bomb. Or the story of grateful shouts and clapping that American soldiers faced from everywhere in a city. The stories that some put into writing to educate all Americans about the sacrifice and history of our country.
Veterans are why we today have rights. The right to freedom of speech, opinion, and expression. The freedom to stand up to injustice, prejudice, and certain laws we feel restrict our freedom. Veterans saved the democracy that we use, as a country, to change laws and lives for the better. The “democracy is the government of the people, by the people, for the people”(Lincoln) as said by Lincoln, one of the most important figures in American history. We remember our veterans as the reason for Tinker vs. Des Moines, Brown v. Board of Education, and the countless famous court cases that have widened rights and the quality of more people’s lives. The cases that ruled segregation and persecution against other races unconstitutional; allowed for freedom for all.
Veterans are the models of our country who we look up to with great gratitude and the utmost respect. They served the values of our country by putting their lives on the line every day. They serve as the icon of the greatest respect in the United States and deserve it more than anything.
So, thank you, veterans, for everything.
Bio: Katelyn Erickson is a Senior at Hingham High School who loves to play tennis, hangout with friends, and go hiking or walk her dog. Throughout high school she has always loved history and hopes to major in certain historical studies while continuing her education in college. In addition, Katelyn wrote the Voice of Democracy essay as a tribute to our national heroes and to encourage others to do the same.
Hingham Middle School
1st Place: Sophia Scott, 8th Grade
Essay:
In 1842, Congress granted pensions to the surviving heroes of the Revolutionary War as the first act of appreciation toward America's veterans. My pledge to our veterans is to sustain the principles, freedoms, and beliefs they bravely and honorably fought for. In the second World War, prisoners captured by the Axis powers were arrested because of their political beliefs, appearance, or religion, which is against what the United States stands for.
These people were treated like criminals for reasons that were not criminal. Veterans of WW2 fought against this cruel treatment. I will try to sustain these principles by always standing up against cruel treatment and injustice. Though all of the veterans of the Civil War have passed away, I believe we must still honor their sacrifice. In the Civil War, the Union fought against slavery and for equality for all people. They fought for a world where people of all colors could live in harmony and share the same rights. They knew slavery ripped humans of their natural born rights and freedoms. The famous president, Abraham Lincoln, led the Union to victory in the Civil War. My pledge to our veterans is to fight for freedom and equal treatment of all people.
The impact of our veterans still lives today. I go to a school which is not segregated, my parents can own property, and I can speak out for what I believe in without fear of being imprisoned. Without these freedoms, my life would be drastically different. I interviewed my grandfather, a veteran of the Vietnam War, about his time in the service. Overall, even though it was a risk, he said he was glad he enlisted. My pledge to my grandfather and other veterans like him is to take risks for causes I care about, because if our veterans hadn't taken a risk, then I would not have the freedoms that I have today. My pledge to our veterans is to uphold the principles, freedoms, and beliefs they courageously and honorably fought for. Like Congress in 1842, we must show appreciation and respect to our veterans. If our veterans hadn't fought against injustice and cruel government, fought for our freedoms and rights, and taken risks, I wouldn't have the liberties and quality of life that I have today. I will continue to fight against injustice and for equal rights in honor of our veterans, and I hope you will too.
Bio: Sophia Scott is in 8th grade at Hingham Middle School. Outside of school, she enjoys horseback riding, writing, reading, and caring for her pets. Her favorite subjects are all languages including French, Spanish, and English. When she grows up, she dreams of being a zoologist. She chose to write the essay because she loves writing and thought it would be a good opportunity to honor her grandfather and uncle who have both served.
2nd Place: Alivia Wadleigh, 6th Grade
Essay:
Veterans are our country's heroes and these amazing heroes risked their lives for our country and our freedom. Not only are they heroes but they can teach very important things in life.
My father is a Veteran and he is an amazing role model to me. He is a role model not only because he is a Veteran but because even after the military he still continues to work hard at everything he does and helps others. I pledge to honor him and all veterans by living my life by these standards that my dad has inspired. My dad isn't the only person I look up to. My great-grandfather who just recently passed away served in World War II. He was an amazing person and he loved his family more than anything. Though I didn't know him very well I pledge to always honor him by honoring what he has done for my country.
Though our world isn't perfect, many of us take things like our freedom for granted. Veterans have been fighting for our freedom since the American Revolution and they have continued to do so ever since. The American Revolution was a time when freedom was something you had to earn. Since then we haven't had to fight for freedom because of the brave people who did so much to get our freedom. Because we have had these privileges all our lives we don't realize how much it took to get to this point and we have our veterans to thank for that. Our country's freedom hasn't always been there but because of the Veterans it's here today. Freedom is something that everybody forgets about at some point in their life but I pledge to always try and keep in mind that I have my freedom because of our country's Veterans.
Thanks to our veterans we have an amazing and free world to live in where we can be who we want to be. I pledge to always honor our veterans by keeping in mind what they have done for our country and by looking up to them as my role models.
Bio: Alivia Wadleigh is a sixth grader at Hingham Middle School. In her spare time, she enjoys playing volleyball, guitar, and reading. Her favorite subject in school is English and she aspires to be an author one day. She chose to participate in the Patriot’s Pen Essay Contest as a tribute to the veterans in her family.
3rd Place: Ciara Doyle, 6th Grade
Essay:
I pledge to support our Veterans. Our veterans have fought to protect us and our country, now it's our job to protect them. The least we can do is provide them with a sense of security. I believe that all Veterans should receive free healthcare and fair retirement benefits. As of 2022 there are 38,000 veterans experiencing homelessness. My goal in writing this is to help bring awareness to this fact. One way I can support them is volunteering at Stand Down events. These events supply food and clothing to homeless veterans.
Another way I can support veterans is by voting for politicians who pledge to fund veteran healthcare, housing assistance and retirement benefits. A survey hosted in 2020 shows that 83% of veterans have experienced post traumatic stress disorder(PTSD). It is crucial that they get the help they need when they return home. I will continue to support free counseling and therapy for veterans and their families. It is important to think about the mental health of all veterans. There is an average of 6,000 veteran suicide deaths per year.That is an average of 16 veterans per day. Which is a horrifying statistic and needs to be Addressed.
I can also help veterans in my community. One thing I can do is thank veterans for their service when I meet them. This year my school is hosting a Veterans Day assembly. This will be a great opportunity for me to express my gratitude. I will also try to attend veterans parades in my town and around me. Also in High School I will have the opportunity to join the Veterans Appreciation Club. This club works to put on veterans day ceremonies and raise money for local veteran charities. But most of all give back to veterans.In conclusion there are endless ways I can work to help support veterans and I look forward to being able to fulfill my pledge more in the future.
Bio: Ciara Doyle is a sixth grader at Hingham Middle School. In her spare time, she enjoys skiing, softball, and baking. Her favorite subject in school is science and she aspires to be an architect one day.