One by one students from Americus, Council Grove, Emporia, Wabaunsee County, Neosho Rapids and Olpe stood in front of a crowd at Emporia Middle School and told the audience why veterans have changed their life.
Students who placed first in the essays and poster contest said their lives have been changed by their parents, grandparents, and great grandparents who served in the military.
It was not only refreshing to see young people thank the people who came before them, but it was also refreshing to see many members of the audience wipe their eyes as the students read their essays and explained their posters.
For the students who entered the competition but did not place, and to the students who did not enter the essay and poster competition, we encourage you to do some research, find out who in your family or group of friends has served in the armed forces, and extend heart-felt appreciation to them.
Monica Schmidt, a seventh grader at Olpe Junior High School, did just that. She made a poster, which she received first place on, which depicted her uncle’s experience in the military along with a family friend’s experience in the military.
They had served in Iraq, Afghanistan and Kuwait, and the audience laughed as Schmidt told funny stories about their bootcamp experiences.
Nichole Burenheide, a junior at Olpe High School, read an essay during the student essay and poster awards ceremony that brought tears to her father’s eyes.
She said her father’s experiences in the armed forces made her appreciate her country.
“He’s influenced my life,” Nichole said.
Her dad, Doug Burenheide, said he had read the essay before his daughter read it on Sunday.
“It’s a tear jerker,” he said.
In a world where youth are often criticized, it’s good to see that young people understand the sacrifices their family, friends, and veterans are making to ensure we have the freedoms we enjoy today.
Monica Springer
reporter
empgazfan (anonymous) says...
I honor doctors, lawyers, dentists, scientists and teachers much more than veterans. Veterans today mainly serve to protect the empires and fortunes of foreign corrupt dictators, not the USA. From Vietnam to Panama to Iraq to Afghanistan to Central America, America sends in its troops to suppress, kill and protect the local puppet dictator, not to promote and expand democracy.
November 11, 2010 at 3:39 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
scarlett01_98 (anonymous) says...
empgazfan, on second thought you aren't worth the effort. go find a 'possum to play with...
November 11, 2010 at 3:49 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Joe_Strummer (anonymous) says...
You're welcome empgazfan.
My service as well as millions of others in the last 2+ centuries affords you the freedom to speak ill against us.
November 11, 2010 at 3:55 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
TexasGirl (anonymous) says...
Scarlett, you crack me up!
November 11, 2010 at 3:57 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
REWBA (anonymous) says...
empgazfan, I was trying to come up with a word to describe the type of person that would write the kind of "stuff" that you type on these strings. I came up with a perfect word but the gazette's filter wouldn't let me post it. Hint: It rhymes with ducktard except it is spelled with an F.
November 11, 2010 at 4:21 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
scarlett01_98 (anonymous) says...
thanks texas girl, my contempt for empgazfan is beyond words. i think s/he hates everyone. i'm glad you got a laugh out of it. tho!
November 11, 2010 at 4:30 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
scarlett01_98 (anonymous) says...
just another sideways thought, empgazfan should have to shoe those 'possums. just because s/he needs a little humility.
November 11, 2010 at 4:50 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
REWBA (anonymous) says...
Since that word means more than one thing I want to clarify that I wasn't talking about a leotard with a hole in the crotch but a person of unbelieveable, inexcuseable and indescribable stupidity. (Stupidity being defined as "knowing how and doing it wrong anyway") as in one who would actually piss on a live transformer or one who would use a live .22 round for a fuse in their pickup truck "just cuz it fits" and then complain about it shooting them in the nuts.
I hope that this clears up any misunderstandings. :-)
November 11, 2010 at 4:51 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
scarlett01_98 (anonymous) says...
rewba, ROFLMAO. to much fun.... i really really need a job, and/ or a life.....
November 11, 2010 at 4:57 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
open_eyes (anonymous) says...
And we here honor intelligence much more than ignorance. Which is why you're not garnering much honor here, empgazfool.
Yes, we've made mistakes in the past, and no doubt will make them in the future. We at one time supported Saddam. But the only support we've given him lately is a supporting rope around his neck as he swung. And we backed the Taliban at one time (against Russia). Bet you thought Russia was the bad guy for invading another country back then too, didn't ya?
Let me guess.... I'll be you're a big fan of folks like Castro & Chavez. Who, if you openly said the things against them you said about veterens, would have quietly thrown you in prison & forgot about you or just had you executed & buried where nobody knew your body was.
There have also been doctors, scientists, dentists, and teachers in the past who's aim was to maim, kill, torture, and make life miserable for other humans. And there have been examples of the above who had good intentions that went horribly wrong. Sometimes it happens. Sometimes good intentions turn out wrong. And get corrected.
I've even heard tell that there has been a lawyer or 2 in the past who's aim was NOT to make life miserable for other human beings...... but that's probably just heresay.
November 11, 2010 at 5:32 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
rabblerouser (anonymous) says...
empgazfan - You should move to china and honor the people other than our veterans. See if you has the same freedom's of speech there, as you practice on these forums, Thanks to our Veterans.
November 11, 2010 at 5:47 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
open_eyes (anonymous) says...
Empgazfool probably has NO idea whatsoever what happend AFTER we left Vietnam........ I know 2 million is way more fingers & toes than he/she has, so he/she can't count that high. Obviously someone who either flunked history, or went to some extremely liberal school that tried to re-write all the history books to fit their own pet twisted view.
November 11, 2010 at 5:52 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
scarlett01_98 (anonymous) says...
all i know is that in one paragraph, empgazgan, managed to offend my great grandparents, grandparents, uncles, father, cousins, nephew, and my SON. so empgaz either needs to shoe 'possums or pee on a live transformer.....
November 11, 2010 at 6:08 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
REWBA (anonymous) says...
"A nation reveals itself not only by the men it produces but also by the men it honors, the men it remembers."~~John F. Kennedy
November 11, 2010 at 6:15 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
REWBA (anonymous) says...
As a veteran who sometimes assists with local veteran activities, I can assure you that many of our doctors, nurses, lawyers, judges, police, EMT's, dentists, engineers, business owners, scientists and teachers are also veterans. Yes, there are veterans who still actively serve in the military but most veterans answered their countries call to serve, performed their duties honorably, and returned to their civilian lives with absolutely no expectations for gratitude from people like empgazfan, crackinsack, or `enry.
"If we are strong, our strength will speak for itself. If we are weak, words will be no help."
- John F. Kennedy
Thanks to all who served, is serving or will serve in the future! May God bless the United States of America forever!!!
November 11, 2010 at 6:56 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Steve_Corbin (anonymous) says...
I would like to thank and honor our lawyers, dentists, doctors, scientists and teachers also.
Today is a day to honor our veterans, those who have fought and died, and were wounded serving their country in wars past or present. Serving their country so douche bags like Fred Phelps AKA empgazfan can spout their bulls---t
it has been less than a week since I asked for more civility on these threads and then douche-bag empgazfan posts today. Forget your politics, people in the military serve their country like no others.
The "moderator" can pull this post if they feel the need, but you are a coward, hiding behind a anonymous post which you use and enjoy because of a veteran.
enjoy your life, you piece of ----.
November 11, 2010 at 8 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Steve_Corbin (anonymous) says...
I apologize for my above outburst from yesterday.
November 12, 2010 at 5:35 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Steve_Corbin (anonymous) says...
Talked to biscuitboy yesterday at the parade.
He looked good for having been sick recently. Said he is off line for a while, his computer is getting fixed at the Help Desk.
We talked about the posters who seem to come on here just to spout hate, discontent and pi$$ people off, then wait for the outrage. Then I came home and reacted negatively to someones post.
when will I learn?
November 12, 2010 at 5:55 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
create (anonymous) says...
Think about your post yesterday as making others feel good to see a bitch slap, Steve.
Someone said once that writing is easy, you just sit at a typewriter and open a vein. This article speaks highly of the young writers who not only received great inspiration from their loved ones who served our country, but they took the time to carefully brainstorm and draft and revise their essays into award winners. No easy task. I hope they take inspiration from their critics as well. All good writers do.
November 12, 2010 at 7:47 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
justaflushaway (anonymous) says...
I want to thank all of you young people who cared about the Veterans, either family members, friends who inspired you to do all the wonderful posters, EVERYONE of you are placed First in my heart. As a Veteran, Thank you again.
Now, yes I can be an a$$ on here and will tell it how I see it BUT there is a limit to my STUPIDITY, (yea I said it), BUT for you ganfunk, you are a waste of human bone, , oh sorry you dont have a back bone, as I posted the other day ,you smell to much like phelps, do you really hate the military that much?
May a Lama with diearrea, $hitz in your lunch today, just for starters,
November 12, 2010 at 8:16 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
alfalfa (anonymous) says...
Congratulation empgazfan for taking a dump right off the get go on Veterans Day.
I am thankful for all Veterans. In the case of both Afghanistan and Iraq, seems to me the locals were saved from brutal regimes, and are now blowing each other up. Can't blame the vets for that, they did their job.
Thanks to every veteran out there. Our military is the finest in the world.
November 12, 2010 at 8:18 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
TexasGirl (anonymous) says...
Has anyone else noticed that empgazfan tends to post once at the beginning of the thread, then rarely comes back to defend his/her stance? It appears s/he only makes these posts to tick everyone off and get the discussion going. Makes me wonder if s/he even believes what s/he is posting, or if s/he just likes to stir the pot. If that's the case, these posts don't deserve the effort of a response.
November 12, 2010 at 11:06 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
open_eyes (anonymous) says...
That thought had crossed my mind, TexasGirl - I've also noticed very little defense by empgazfool of any of his/her/its rhetoric. But, in this case.... I appreciate the comments by folks defending veterans, and am glad they have replied in ways they may not have otherwise. So, in a roundabout way....... thank you, empgazfan. I've read some wonderful and moving stories here I probably wouldn't have, otherwise.
November 12, 2010 at 11:12 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
open_eyes (anonymous) says...
Biscuitboy, hope you are recovering well from whatever sickness befell you. I think we're all a little sick to our stomach that people like empgazfool exist, and have a vote equal to ours. But that's democracy for ya.
November 12, 2010 at 11:23 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Libertarian (anonymous) says...
While I might agree with the underlying sentiment behind empgazfan's post, his delivery showed a complete lack of class and respect for the sacrifices our veterans make day in and day out.
What we do need to remember, however, that supporting the troops and veterans by no way means we must support their mission or our nation's foreign policy. HUNDREDS of THOUSANDS of innocents killed, MILLIONS displaced, while countless others live in constant fear of American and Coalition bombings EVERY DAY. That I can not support. But in order to be considered patriotic, we must support this "War on Terror". Whose terror?
Veterans Day is a way to show our appreciation, admiration, and respect to the troops who do put their lives on the line for our nation. But, it is not supposed to glorify war or worship the military either. In fact, it is our civic responsibility to hold those accountable who do make the decisions to put those brave soldiers in harm's way around the world. In that, we have clearly failed them.
November 12, 2010 at 11:33 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
REWBA (anonymous) says...
"What we do need to remember, however, that supporting the troops and veterans by no way means we must support their mission or our nation's foreign policy."
What?
I agree that we cannot save Iraq from the Iraqis or Afghanistan from the Afghans anymore than we could save Vietnam from the Vietnamese. But we can change the rules to declaring war. Rewrite the constitution requiring leaders of both houses and the Commander in Chief take point in the initial invasion of any war that they declare and maybe they will be more thoughtful. It would at least insure that we are saving America from someone other than Americans.
The Republicans are always looking for ways to rewrite our constitution. There's one change I could agree with. jmo
November 12, 2010 at 12:14 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
scarlett01_98 (anonymous) says...
from my vantage point, you support our troops. you don't have to support any war. however, the troops are ordered into war. it's not their decision to make.
that said,
texas girl, i think you are right. empgazfan never does follow up.
info on empgazfan tho. he isn't fred phelps. he is an out of work contractor. that is probably why he hates everyone. i googled his moniker, that is how i know who he is.
November 12, 2010 at 12:50 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Libertarian (anonymous) says...
REWBA - I agree that some Constitutional considerations should be met when it comes to taking a nation to war...like perhaps our legislators holding the executive accountable and, I don't know, maybe actually drafting a DECLARATION of WAR, which the Constitution already requires, something we haven't actually done since 1941! And this is the responsibility of both major parties, (the Republicrats), and our responsibility to remind our elected officials who swear to uphold the Constitution to actually abide by what it says. Since our soldiers are dying to defend it, it would be nice if our elected representatives actually adhered to it.
November 12, 2010 at 1:51 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
open_eyes (anonymous) says...
I agree, some good and sane points are to be made from a different point of view. One problem is, however, nobody ever mentions the "hundreds of thousands of innocents killed, millions displaced, while countless others live in constant fear every day" of what happened before America entered, or after we left. Like when Ted Turner got asked about the 2 million or so that were slaughtered after we left Vietnam - "well, he never really thought about that". Nobody mentions Saddam killing & torturing 1/2 million of his own folks. Personally, I think for the most part, America's intentions are noble. Sometimes misguided, sometimes mistaken, but with very few exceptions, with noble intent. I doubt anyone wants to glorify war and killing, least of all the soldiers themselves. But sometimes tough decisions need to be made, and never, ever, will everyone agree with them. Lots of people disagreed with us even getting involved in WWII. Just as with every war. But, and this may come as a shock to some....... lawyers aren't always the answer.
November 12, 2010 at 1:56 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
biscuitboy (anonymous) says...
Thanks to the Help Desk I am back sooner than expected....and I could not agree more with all the outrage I am seeing expressed here towards empgazfan's inanne ramblings.
If he really was a Gazette fan he would do them the favor of posting on anohter site.
November 13, 2010 at 11:24 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
empgazfan (anonymous) says...
Why do all you love the likes of Marcos, Ky, Thiu, Karzai, Samoza and a host of other US puppets? They are/were nothing but US-blackmailing scum, totally corrupt to the core, living a high life off of American dollars and lives. They just call up the president and tell him, "Give me a billion dollars or I'll let the communists-Taliban-socialists (pick one) into my cabinet." And Eisenhower-Kennedy-Johnson-Nixon-Ford-Reagan-Bush-Bush just keep sending the money and wasting American lives.
November 13, 2010 at 6:40 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
empgazfan (anonymous) says...
Now let me tell you how a veteran changed my life. The veteran was my father. He was a WWI veteran and lived through a hell that no veteran alive today can fathom. One day in the early 1960s during dinner I told my father I wanted to join the service to get money for college. He suddenly became silent, looked away for several minutes, and then looked back at me. He said, "Son, I know you'll do fine in the service. There is so much rot, so many debased illiterates and so many career moral degenerates in the service that you will encounter great difficulty in finding your way. But if you remember what your mother and I taught you, you will find your way and do fine. Good luck to you!" Well, I never joined the service after that! I worked my way through college and earned my degree in Engineering and my Masters in Business. I successfully avoided the draft, let other suckers do the joining and dying, and have personally counseled and kept dozens of high school boys out of the military and into college instead. Yes, that veteran changed my life, and that of many other young men, for the better.
November 13, 2010 at 6:57 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
create (anonymous) says...
Hey empgazoo, You must be copying your information from a junk web site.
November 13, 2010 at 7:01 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
create (anonymous) says...
biscuit, welcome back. Glad you got your repairs done.
Some believe we should stop paying attention to this troll, but this sucker is starting to feed info about himself. The ego is a powerful thing.
November 13, 2010 at 7:04 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
scarlett01_98 (anonymous) says...
empgazfan, you are still an out of work contractor with a bad attitude. and like i said s before just kiss my 'possum, just kiss it!!!
November 13, 2010 at 7:06 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
scarlett01_98 (anonymous) says...
ohh and i'll bet my engineering skills are better than yours.
November 13, 2010 at 7:09 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
scarlett01_98 (anonymous) says...
hey bb welcome back : )
November 13, 2010 at 7:10 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
biscuitboy (anonymous) says...
I went to the parade Thursday and I did not see one single sign supporting or glorifying any of the puppet dictators you mentioned in your post empgazfan.
What I saw was the people of Emporia thanking the men/women, husbands/wives, sons/daughters/ and brothers and sisters that had gone off to do a dirty job from which many came back damaged and others came back dead. Were some of those high cost paid defending people that maybe didn't deserve to be defended?.....Maybe? Were some of the causes less than just?.....Probably.
But again, I didnt see a celebration of the old men and the decisions made that had sent them off to war either. I saw a heartfelt thank you for them answering the call of their country without question and doing what they had to do while leaving some idiots to debate the right and wrong of it all when we had the luxury to do so safely.
If you can't see the difference empgazfan then I doubt if any amount of explaining will enlighten you.
November 13, 2010 at 9:53 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
krazykansan (anonymous) says...
I bet gazfan even lied about being a vet, so he could eat a free meal at Golden Corral!
I'll chip in to ship his ass to one of those countries he speaks of. So he can live by there standards.
November 19, 2010 at 12:26 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )