"That Hero Could Be You" - Washington City Veterans Day Celebration 2007

Dear Citizens,

I had the privilege of being in attendance at the Veterans Day celebration here in Washington.  As I was touched by the program and had the opportunity to reflect upon that day I thought of a statement made almost a century and a half ago that was pertinent.  In his second inaugural address in March of 1864, as the dark night of the Civil War was coming to an end, the father of our Union made the following statement:

"With malice toward none; with charity for all; with firmness in the right, as God gives us to see the right, let us strive on to finish the work we are in; to bind up the nation's wounds; to care for him who shall have borne the battle, and for his widow, and his orphan - to do all which may achieve and cherish a just, and lasting peace, among ourselves, and with all nations." 
Abraham Lincoln, 1864.

All of the hard work combined with the words, the music and an absolutely beautiful Fall day made for a wonderful and memorable event.  I am grateful that you have made this holiday an important holiday in our community so that we might “care for those who have borne the battle, and for his widow, and his orphan” and that we may always “achieve and cherish a just, and lasting peace”.  Thank you for reminding us of what is great about our nation and community, and for the moment you allowed us to thank those heroes who gave so much. 

On behalf the Mayor, the City Council, and myself we express our deepest appreciation and gratitude for the local heroes that you are, and for all that you do for Washington City.

Sincerely yours,

Roger Carter
City Manager

Essay Contest Entries:

That Hero Could Be You
by Whitney Webb, Sandstone Elementary

Remember when you were a kid? How you looked up to older people? Well, kids now will look up to you. You are their example. So we copy what you do, and what you say. Do you want us to go around smoking and swearing? You probably don’t. You could be the one that we will follow. You could be our hero by doing good things. When we grow up, we might still act the way we did when we were kids. We could be good or bad. It all might depend on you. At least try to do some good in the world. Our future might be changed with your good example. The world could be a better place! It all depends on you. Now, no pressure, but it’s true. It’s not that hard to change our future. You can just do better in our life. That’s it. That’s all we’re asking. You could make the world more peaceful.

Now kids out there are probably thinking, “What about us?” Well kids like you can prepare to be heroes right now. Like I said earlier, we still might act the way we did when we were kids. So you can be the best you can be for now, and it might affect your future. When you have grown up, you can be a good role model for your kids, they might copy you, their kids might copy them, and it all works out. So try to do better in your life, and it might affect the future. Kids right now can change the world. Adults right now can change the world. No matter what age it still counts. Anyone could change the world if they tried. So try! That hero could be you.

A Simple Hero
by Brandi Jarvis, Horizon Elementary

You may think that regular day people aren’t heroes, but they are. The hero I chose to write about is my amazing teacher Mrs. Zwahlen.
Her mightiest qualities are that Mrs. Zwahlen is inspiring and she sets a good example. Just doing those things makes her a hero, in my opinion.
I also think that she is great at being dedicated to her job. Mrs. Zwahlen is kind of like a veteran because she is taken away from her family, but in a smaller portion. However, she somehow seems to manage.
What she does makes such a difference in my life and also for my fellow students. She gives us knowledge that we will use in our everyday life. Life would be difficult without her.
The last quality I will talk about is her positive attitude. It makes me feel good inside and it makes things so much more fun. Even if she gets a little annoyed, she still stays positive.
I wan to be a hero just like Mrs. Zwahlen. I believe that if I do what she does that hero could be me.

That Hero Could Be You!
by Fallon Jones, Riverside Elementary

Have you ever dreamed about being a hero? There is heroes everywhere you go. I think the best hero is a veteran. Veterans are people who fought for our country. My neighbor is a veteran. When I go to his house he tells me of all the adventures he had. One day I asked him why was he willing to give his life. He said the most amazing thing I’ll never forget. He said, “I love my country, I would do anything for it.” Veterans saved our lifes, and for that we are grateful. Over a million people have died for us. The soldiers who still fight today want a free country. Everyone can be a hero in many ways. Our country wouldn’t be the same without veterans. In Washington D.C. they have a wall of all the men that have died in wars in the U.S. There is more than 58,000 men that have died. The veterans are one of the biggest heroes there is. Some people want to be engineers, lawyers, artists, but others want to be Veterans. Veterans have one of the worst things to do. To be willing to die. Tons of people just look at America as being a home. Veterans look at America as a blessing, treasure. They’ll fight for anything to keep things that way. Some might do it for the glory, others for the fame. The rest for their country and their freedom. Veterans are everywhere young or old. They are still Americans. Kids can change the world. Boys can figure out what they want to be, and so can girls. Kids can say what they want to be. Some kids are saying “We want to be Veterans!”

A Hero Keeps You Safe
by Brittany Deal, Washington Elementary

A hero is someone that you can look up to and someone that helps you someone who cares for you and helps you thru the good times and the bad. We think of our heroes everyday we dream of them every night and you wonder what there doing knowing if there okay or knowing if there not we are so proud of them they keep us safe and strong that’s why someday we all want to be like you because your somebody strong and brave and you make our country a better place to be. You help people you stop them from doing bad things but someday I just want to be like you.

That Hero Could Be You
by Whitnie Sullivan, Coral Canyon Elementary

I feel that a hero can be from a small baby that gives love or joy to your family to a grandpa or an old friend that gives warmth and comfort to your family. A few of my hero’s are my mom my dad and my grandpa. First my mom whenever I was late for the bus or spilt something on my shirt at the bus stop she would always drive me in or if I were sick she would make sure I was almost 100% ok. Second my dad would wake me up if I didn’t set my alarm or forgot to or he would play catch when I’m in the mood and sometimes he would even go for a hike in red-cliff or on the mountain behind us. Third my grandpa Bob when we go to Cedar mountain for a week or more he would always try to make it fun for us or when my sister and I get in a fight he would always stop it. These are only a few of my heroes. For every day hero’s there are a ton out there just waiting to be found. But there is another type of hero out there besides every day hero’s there are veteran hero’s that go to war and some times die and some times live. I’m glad my two grandpa’s both made it back. Think about this if you were in war and about to die what would you be thinking that you are dying. Would you think of your family or girlfriend and boyfriend knowing that they are waiting for you? I thank heaven daily for my heroes!

The Washington City Veterans Memorial stands in the "Old" City Park now renamed to Veterans Park, 61 E Telegraph.