By Jessica McNally

Men and women from all over the country fight for our freedom everyday. These brave men and women who fight and who have fought for our rights, like veterans, walk our streets everyday. They pass us on the streets, in the mall, and even in the grocery store. These veterans don’t get recognition except for one day of the year, Veteran’s Day.

During one of the uniform inspections in JROTC, Senior Chief Michael Beal decided to ask all of the cadets the same question. Beal asked us, “why do you wear your uniform?” Most cadets answered basically the same, “to honor those who protect and serve our country.” When I answer this question, much more goes through my mind than just honoring those who protect and serve. I think about not only those who protect and serve today, but also those who protected and served years ago and those who will serve our country someday. I think about all of the men and women who have risked their lives for our freedoms and for rights. I also think about all of the people that I know that will be leaving for the military when they graduate high school. Last but not least, I think about my family who are, have been, or will be in the military.

My cousin’s husband, Jordan Powell, was in the marine corps. When Powell was in Iraq a few years ago, he nearly lost his life trying to protect our country. Powell and one of his fellow marines were driving down the old dirt road heading towards the base they were stationed at. While they were driving, the other marine saw something that Powell did not. Powell did not see that there was a land mine in the road up ahead. The fellow marine threw himself and Powell out of the Humvee. The vehicle kept rolling forward and only a few seconds later hit the land mine causing it to explode. Powell said that he considers himself lucky that he did not lose his life while serving in the military.