Guest column

My one and only

By Madisynn Valdez
Posted 11/19/19

My inspiration for entering this essay contest is my grandfather. He was a part of the communication system in the military. The communication system was in charge of things like radios and …

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Guest column

My one and only

Posted

My inspiration for entering this essay contest is my grandfather. He was a part of the communication system in the military. The communication system was in charge of things like radios and telephones. They were also in charge of communicating with people on tanks, boats, and helicopters. He went all around the world helping other soldiers know where they needed to go and what they needed to do. He went to places like France, Europe, all around the United States and many other places.

One of the wars he was in was the Vietnam War. He was there from 1963 to 1966. The war went on from 1969 to 1973, but they were helping before the war officially started. The things he was proud of as he was in the military was, he was proud of being an American soldier, and being able to not only help people but train them, too. Now he is proud of his family, his country, knowing that he helped so many people in his lifetime and his military background.

Another thing he did while he was in the military was he joined the soccer team they created. The team played against national teams from places like Germany, France and Europe.

He inspires me to be strong, and to keep persevering. He always tells me to toughen up, because he has had it harder. This always makes me laugh, but as I am writing this essay, and talking to him, I realize how true it is. One of the many reasons he inspires me is the fact that, even though everyone tries to talk him out of it, he still works on things like building barns, fixing cars, fixing fences, and fixing anything needed, really. So I am in an endless debt to my grandfather for his service, and for inspiring me and my family.

He has done, and is still doing, anything that can help someone, something or his country. My grandfather is one of the only veterans in my family. He is my one and only.

Thank you, Papa — not only for your service, but for inspiring my brother, sister and me.

(Madisynn Valdez is a fifth-grade student at Westside Elementary School. She submitted this piece for a contest hosted by American Legion Hughes-Pittinger Post 26, in which Powell fifth graders were asked to write an essay about a veteran and their military service. Valdez unanimously took the grand prize.)

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