[Congressional Record Volume 160, Number 138 (Thursday, November 13, 2014)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1568]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




              TRIBUTE TO VETERANS DAY ESSAY CONTEST WINNER

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                          HON. JOSEPH CROWLEY

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, November 13, 2014

  Mr. CROWLEY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate the winner of 
the 2014 Veterans Day essay contest for New York's 14th Congressional 
District. Kezia Dickson, a student from I.S. 61 in Corona, Queens 
submitted the winning essay on the topic, ``What Veterans Day Means To 
Me.'' Kezia's essay reads as follows:
  Each day, millions of people in the Armed Forces risk their lives in 
order to protect us. They put losing their family, friends and life 
behind just so that they can protect us. These people show 
unexplainable bravery and courage. I can't even imagine putting my life 
on the line to fight in a war where I may possibly die. When I sit down 
and think about what these people are doing it blows my mind. I find it 
so honorable and breathtaking that someone would put themselves in such 
danger for strangers.
  That is why when Veterans Day comes along I make sure to do something 
for those members of the Armed Forces. This holiday is just a chance 
for me to say thank you and God bless you for your unimaginable courage 
and kindness. I can't even go on to think about the struggle and pain 
some of these family members may feel each day as they don't know if 
their husband, wife, son or daughter, mother or father is still alive. 
Just let alone going to sleep without having that type of awareness is 
hard. Sometimes we Americans take things for granted, especially other 
freedoms. Most people fail to understand that the freedom we have 
doesn't come for free. Sacrifices are made and people end up dying in 
the process.
  For some, Veterans Day is a day where you don't have to go to work or 
school. For me it's a time of reflection and renewal. That is why 
Veterans Day is very important to me. To know that somebody's husband/
wife, son/daughter, father/mother is dying just so that I can have my 
freedom makes me take a step back. It makes me think twice about the 
actions I'm taking and the things I'm doing right now. I just begin to 
say to myself: ``Are the things I'm doing now worth someone's life 
being lost?''
  I appreciate these members of the Armed Forces with the deepest 
gratitude. They've helped save my life and protect other millions of 
Americans. In my family, I have uncles and cousins who have served and 
are serving now. I understand what they do is very hard and it takes 
mental, emotional, and physical strength to go through with it. They go 
through so many obstacles, but they seem to never give up. They make me 
proud to call myself an American. It is their bravery and audacity that 
keeps America living. What they do is just unbelievable. Basically, 
Veterans Day is my time to say, ``Thank you for saving my life and 
thank you for your service.''

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