[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 74 (Thursday, May 20, 1999)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1039]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                      HONORING MISS AFTON STANFORD

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. GENE TAYLOR

                             of mississippi

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, May 20, 1999

  Mr. TAYLOR of Mississippi. Mr. Speaker, it gives me great pleasure 
today to honor Miss Afton Stanford of Poplarville, MS. Miss Stanford is 
the Mississippi winner of the 1999 Voice of Democracy broadcast script-
writing contest sponsored by the Veterans of Foreign Wars. As reward 
for her script, she received a VFW scholarship and an all-expense paid 
trip to Washington, DC to compete with other national finalists.
  The VFW's Voice of Democracy Program is a national essay competition 
that allows high school students the opportunity to share their 
opinions on service, sacrifice and responsibility to their country. The 
1998-99 competition theme was ``My Service to America,'' in which 
students reflected on their individual involvement in local 
communities. Out of the 80,000 participants, Miss Stanford was one of 
fifty-four finalists, and it gives me great pride to share her winning 
essay with you.

                         My Service to America

                          (By Afton Stanford)

       As I stand looking through the thick glass protecting the 
     faded blue uniform, and the yellowed photograph I wonder how 
     old this boy was. If it were not for the fact that he was in 
     the military, I'd say he were my age. He looks like a boy in 
     my chemistry class, you know the silent type that grins a lot 
     but really never says much. I'm not sure if that is what he 
     really was like, but I'd like to think so. Who would ever 
     believe that this young kid would ever have the chance to 
     save others. When I look into his eyes, I don't see a kid who 
     wants to be a hero, I see a kid ready to experience life. 
     Maybe he was a little uncertain about his future, or even 
     wondering if he made the right decision in joining the 
     military, whatever it was I can imagine a mixture of emotions 
     swirling through his dark eyes. At 18, many people might 
     think a kid knows nothing about sacrifice. But this boy, this 
     young boy, made the ultimate sacrifice.
       A few summers ago, I volunteered for a women's crisis 
     shelter. At the time I thought it was fun, meeting new 
     people, helping others in the process. But, only after it was 
     all over did I grasp the concept of ``service.'' Service to 
     my God, service to my country. When I got home I found other 
     places to volunteer; I help Red Cross, if any disasters 
     happen and they need help collecting food or handing out 
     blankets, I'll be there. I also help at the food bank, 
     sorting cans that people donate so the families less 
     fortunate can eat. Giving up Saturdays and spending a week 
     helping others seems trivial, in comparison to this boy who 
     gave his life to save others, but it's a beginning.
       I got a great start at home. My parents have instilled in 
     me the desire to help other people improve their lives. My 
     parents stressed the need for helping others, because in 
     helping others everyone lives better. They also taught me to 
     take pride in what I do, the jobs I hold and what I believe. 
     National pride is something sacred. All Americans have lost 
     family and friends to have these rights, and the least I can 
     do is maintain the life they fought for.
       Sometimes my life gets too hectic and chaotic to think 
     about anyone but myself. That's why every day I try to make 
     it a point to do something, however little for someone else. 
     From sweeping leaves for an elderly neighbor to working at 
     the food bank I try to pitch in. Helping is contagious. When 
     I have volunteered, my friends have seen how much I loved the 
     people I helped and the work and they have begun to volunteer 
     too. If each American has this attitude it will make a big 
     difference. Part of my service to America is encouraging 
     others to help in any way they can and knowing that every 
     kindness honors the people who've gone before us.
       I believe that being an American citizen means helping 
     others in need. This is one of the strongest values of 
     Americans. For a young man to throw himself on a land mine to 
     save his platoon exemplifies the ideals of self-sacrifice and 
     service that is the corner stone of America. While I'm 
     standing here looking at this display of congressional honor, 
     I wonder how his mother felt. The last time she ironed his 
     uniform and picked off the little stray threads for this 
     display, was she aware of how much I appreciate what her son 
     gave up and what she gave up through him? I only hope that my 
     little sacrifices and services will be able to honor his 
     death and all deaths that make the quality of life that I 
     enjoy possible. I can only hope that one day I'll be able to 
     give a service of this magnitude to my country.
       ``Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one's 
     life for his friends.'' (John 15:13) As I walk away I hope to 
     take a little inspiration from this boy who selflessly 
     embodied these values.

     

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