My Pledge to Honor Our Veterans
My pledge is to those who have served in the military, they put their lives on the line to ensure the rights, freedom, and security of all future residents of the United States. My pledge to veterans is to forever pay tribute, thank, and respect. My goal is to ensure that veterans know their sacrifices have not been in vain. I pledge to honor and support all veterans worldwide, and their families, through my daily actions.
Veterans sacrificed their lives, loved ones, health, and freedom for our freedoms. I can play with friends, be outside without fear of attack, travel around the world, and spend time with my family, because of those who served. A great example and someone whom I had the pleasure of meeting is Senator McCain. McCain served in the navy as a ground-attack pilot. During his time in the Vietnam war, his plane was shot down and he was taken captive. Throughout his years in captivity, McCain had to undergo harsh torture and when an offer arose for him to be freed, he denied it unless every other U.S citizen with him was also released. McCain sacrificed his physical and mental health and freedom for his comrades. Shaking Senator McCain’s hand and telling him, “Thank you for your service,” was an honor and I will always make that same effort to thank every veteran I encounter.
Veterans do not always have to be recognized through significant actions; small actions are equally important. Praying for veterans and their families before meals, thanking veterans for their service, volunteering at veteran organizations, and sending veterans letters are all ways to help support and thank veterans around the world. My grandfather served in the Vietnam war and was buried at Arlington Cemetery with full military honors. That is how we should treat all veterans.
Honoring and supporting veterans not only helps veterans, but also their families and friends to see the community supporting them. This is my pledge, to honor my grandparents and uncles who served to keep us all safe and free. I pledge to honor the veterans who are still standing today and those who lost their lives. Knowing the sacrifices veterans made for this country, including my grandfathers and uncles, make me proud to call myself a U.S citizen.
Ciara Fitzgerald – Age 13
Ciara – competed for Patriots Pen (6th – 8th graders)
- 1st place at local district VFW Post #3063
- 1st place at District #2 (this is a very large district that encompasses Seattle, Shoreline, Burien, and Vashion)
- 1st place in all of Washington State
- She is now competing at Nationals with all of the other states and a few territories – last year there were around 68,800 entries so she is currently 1 of about 50 that made it to Nationals out of almost 70k entries