Veterans Day Essay Contest

Veterans Day is an important day across the country. Set aside to honor the sacrifices of men and women who have served in the armed forces across the decades, Veterans Day allows those who have benefitted from the freedoms provided at great personal sacrifice by those who have come before them to celebrate those sacrifices. Oneida County has a long history of both military service and respect for that service. One of the longest running traditions locally is the Veterans Day celebration at Malad Elementary, which involves the reading of the selected winning essays, as well as a musical and visual salute to the Veterans of the county.

Last year, Kay and Gene Caldwell, Brent Bowen, and Kathy Kent presented a photo tribute to Veterans in which the original, older photos of the county’s vets had been updated with color and enhanced imaging as part of the main slideshow. This year’s program will be held in the MES auditorium at 10 a.m., and then again at 7 p.m.

This year, the fifth grade students at Malad Elementary School were given the writing prompt "What three words describe a Veteran?" Their essays were judged by the following retired school teachers: Lois Willie, Anne Crowther and Jean Schwartz. The judges chose the top three essays from each fifth grade class. These students attended a public speaking training and then presented their essays on stage for the fourth and fifth grade. The presentations were judged by Garry and Geneal White and Jeff and Laurie Richins. They selected three winners and an honorable mention from the nine finalists. The American Legion sponsored the monetary prizes. First place was Jettsen Miller receiving $75. Second place was Rebecca Nelson receiving $50. Third place was Jaxon Kimberling receiving $25. Honorable Mention was Ira Carter. The top three essay winners will present their essays in the Veterans Memorial Day Program.

(left to right) Laurie and Jeff Richins, Jettsen Miller, Rebecca Nelson, Jaxon Kimberling, Ira Carter and Garry and Geneal White.

Jaxson Kimberling Mrs. Blaisdell 5th Grade Veterans Essay

Veterans Are Amazing

Do you know how to act around Veterans? Well if you don’t you can read all about Veterans and what to do if you see one.

First of all, veterans are the coolest people in the world and they deserve respect. Veterans do all of the eight habits. Veterans are very courageous, important, and prepared.

Secondly, veterans are very courageous. Veterans are courageous because when times get complicated or confusing, veterans go and fight even when times get tough.Veterans go through so much pain, some more than others but they are all heroes. Veterans are fighting in all kinds of biomes such as, deserts, coasts, and grasslands.

Thirdly If we didn’t have veterans we would have very different lives. We are so blessed to have veterans that care for us and keep us safe. Veterans are important because they are super smart and know what they are doing on the battlefield.

Veterans are super prepared for anything they encounter on the way to their destinations. Veterans are prepared for battle no matter what. If someone gets hurt fighting the medic drags them off the field and is prepared to try to save them. Veterans are always prepared.

In conclusion, veterans are the best because they do so much for us. Veterans are not just amazing but they are also courageous, important, and prepared.

Jettsen Miller Mrs. Bagley 5th Grade Veterans Essay

The full cast of finalists and judges for the Veterans Day contest

Veterans

What are three words that describe a Veteran?

I firmly believe that veterans make huge sacrifices, they are surly patriotic, and they are very selfless. They are the reason that we can do what we love. They are the reason we have freedom.

Veterans are patriotic; they will go into battle with their lives on the line. None of the veterans had to go into battle, but they signed up and bravely fought. Imagine going into battle with a huge chance that you may be killed or torchered. Every turn could be a death trap, and every second your life is in danger. Some care more about their country than themselves. So, as you can see, veterans are surely patriotic.

They also have to be willing to sacrifice everything. They risk their lives, and risk never seeing their families again. My uncle bravely fought, and while on a mission in Afganistan, the machinery did not detect a bomb under the road. While driving in the tank they went over the hidden bomb, and the bad guys detonated the bomb. Sadly, only him and one of his friends survived. My uncle lost his leg on that mission. That is why I know without a doubt that they sacrifice a lot.

I also know that veterans are selfless. They don’t have to protect our country, they didn’t have to go to war, but they chose to fight, and I highly honor them. I would not get to make my own choices, and I might even be in slavery. They fight so that we can have freedom and live the life we want to live. My great, great grandpa fought in World War 2, he and all veterans fought their own hard battles. I give thanks to all veterans and also to those who still fight for our freedom and our country today.

You can clearly see that veterans are truly America's heroes, they are our heroes. The least we can do is have Veterans Day to thank them for their sacrifices. I am so grateful for every single soul that has served in the Military branch. I picked these three words because I believe that Veterans are those three words and so so much more. Rebecca Nelson Mrs. Allen 5th Grade Veterans Essay

Did you know that veterans risk their lives for us? I love veterans a lot because they risk their lives knowing they are serving their country and themselves. The four words I chose to describe veterans are heroic, courageous, sacrificing, and humble. I love veterans a lot because they fight for us.

The first word is heroic. Veterans are heroic because they trained to fight knowing they could die in battle but they’ll still do it. My step great grandpa, Reed Henderson, was heroic by risking a part of his body. His hand got shot off, because in World War 2 he was in a hole hiding and the enemy threw a grenade in the hole. He didn’t want to die. So, he tried to throw it out but it was too late. His hand was blown up. For the rest of his life he had to have a hook. In my opinion all veterans are heros .

My next word is courageous. Veterans are courageous because they have courage to leave their homes to fight. I have some uncles and grandparents who have served and I think they have lots of courage. Veterans go to boot camps, and train and they have courage to do it. Fifth grade had a boot camp and it was exhausting. We had to run all along the back field, we had to do push ups, planks, and wall sits. It was hard. The next day it was painful to move. What I learned from that experience is that being in the military is painful and hard. That's why I chose the word courageous because they train and fight a lot for us.

My third word is sacrificing. I think veterans are sacrificing because they leave homes to let people have the freedom they have now. Some choices people can make are what to wear, what to eat, and what to do. Veterans are also sacrificing because they give up things. It’s hard to leave things, people, and pets that you love. Veterans are awesome, they leave families to fight for freedom and what's sad is that they miss their children's birth, their birthdays, holidays, and families.

My last and final word is humble. I think veterans are humble because they think about others and don’t brag. I also think they are humble because they serve others, putting their lives at risk to let us have freedom.

In conclusion, I chose these words because they mean a lot to me. I love the military. One fact about the military is that there are five branches, Army, Marine Corps, Navy, Air Force, and Coast Guard. As you can see, I think veterans are amazing.