[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 51 (Wednesday, April 14, 1999)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E638-E639]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




            GEORGE L. PLUMLEE WRITES AN ESSAY WORTH READING

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                             HON. BOB STUMP

                               of arizona

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, April 14, 1999

  Mr. STUMP. Mr. Speaker, it is my pleasure to commend to my colleagues 
an essay authored by my constituent George L. Plumlee, a senior at 
Parker High School in Parker, AZ. George was the first place district 
winner of the Veterans of Foreign Wars Voice of Democracy Competition. 
His essay on the contest theme of ``My Service to America'' reminds us 
that our freedoms are not to be taken for granted, and that freedom is 
something we all must work for each day. Service to America means that 
we must be personally responsible for the protection and perpetuation 
of our freedoms that make America strong. Every person can make a 
contribution in even the smallest of ways to continue fighting for the 
freedoms we all enjoy. I commend George's essay to my colleagues 
attention.

 ``My Service to America'' 1998-99 VFW Voice of Democracy Scholarship 
                              Competition

       I am very proud and thankful to be an American living in 
     the United States. To me, having the right to be an American 
     should be earned, or at the least, nurtured and contributed 
     to on a constant basis. If we expect our country to remain 
     strong and free, I believe all Americans should contribute 
     some type of service to America. I see ``My Service to 
     America'' as a daily effort to support the country that I 
     love, and the country that gives back to me all the wonderful 
     gifts it does, such as freedom. Freedom is the most previous 
     thing a man can have. America's freedom has been hard won by 
     the sacrifice of its many veterans, and stays free because 
     they are still there doing their duty, rain or shine, day or 
     night, everyday.
       As individual citizens if we do not contribute to our 
     country, I believe it will eventually weaken and not be the 
     strong country it has been for so long. I feel there are many 
     ways I can give ``My Service to America''. If I cannot serve 
     in the armed forces of our country, there are still many ways 
     to support and contribute to make my America function and 
     stay strong. Through out my first 12 years of school I have 
     been active in not only school activities, but have 
     volunteered many times to serve the community with civic and 
     charitable functions. America is a big country, and has a lot 
     going on, but I believe it all starts with the common citizen 
     living in Little Town, U.S.A. If a person does not bother to 
     vote, they are giving up a right that has been earned in 
     blood and lives. It is apparent in so many countries around 
     the world today what happens, or does not happen when you 
     have the right to vote as a free people. Without the right to 
     vote and decide your own destiny, every part of your daily 
     life is controlled by only one person or a small group of 
     people. If educators do not give their very best in educating 
     our children, we will not have properly prepared citizens to 
     become our educators and leaders of tomorrow. Even mechanics 
     and bus drives are important for the same reasons. What makes 
     our system work is everybody doing their share of supporting 
     our way of life even in the smallest of ways.
       When I was younger I did not give much thought to all the 
     freedoms we have in America, and how we got or kept them. I 
     was just a kid running around having fund. Then I remember my 
     dad started telling me how and why we are free, and how so 
     many Americans sacrificed so much for our country. I am being 
     honest when I say I used to get so tired of Dad preaching 
     this to me so many times. But Dad had, and was doing his duty 
     to his country by being a Master Sergeant in the United 
     States Marines, and by passing on to me the values that make 
     America what it is today. I am extremely proud of my dad for 
     many reasons. Today when I see many people not doing their 
     share to support America, it reminds me of when I was a 
     little kid, just running around having fun. All Americans 
     need to be educated and informed on a regular basis why we 
     are free, and what it means to be an American and the 
     responsibilities that entails. I believe my dad has served 
     his country in every possible way. Because of my dad, when I 
     see our flag flying, or hear the National Anthem, my pride 
     and emotions start to swell. When I see our flag flying it is 
     not just a piece of material with a pattern on it. It is the 
     symbol of our country and stands for all the sacrifices made 
     by our veterans to keep us free. In movies or on TV when I 
     see all the white crosses at Arlington National Cemetery, or 
     American

[[Page E639]]

     flags on grave markers in common cemeteries, I am reminded of 
     why we are free. Those brave and honored Americans gave the 
     ultimate ``See to America''.

     

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