Friday, November 11th, 2011

Writing Prompt – Veteran’s Day

Frank MichalskiIn honor of our country’s Veterans, I’m hosting a Veteran’s Day Writing Prompt today.

Many thanks to all the men and women who’ve served in the US Armed Forces. I’m grateful that our country has a strong military, for both the freedoms it’s continued to safeguard and how safe I feel knowing it’s there to protect us.

Thank you to the men and women who continue to serve.

A quick digression:

I wrote a little about my family’s strong military background and some info about Veteran’s Day in my post last year, if you’re interested.

Last year’s post has a pic of my great-Uncle Walter. That’s him in the background of the picture to the right. He and my great-Uncle Frank are pictured in a downtown Baltimore bar, having a drink before they both return to duty after the Christmas holiday.

(Wasn’t Frank a handsome fellow? He looks like an old-time movie star to me. I’m sure the ladies swooned when they saw him coming.)

Now, on to the prompt…

Here’s Your Prompt:

  • Write a diary entry for a single day in the timeline of any “great war.” Include specific details, as well as personal reactions.
     
  • Write a thank you note to a veteran (or current member) of the armed forces.
     
  • Take a few moments and brainstorm some words that come to you when you think about the military. Write a poem using one or more of the thoughts that occurred to you.
     
  • Make a list of words that define “the perfect soldier.” Create a character sketch of this hero.
     
  • Based on the prompt above, choose the one trait you think every soldier should have. Now, create a character sketch of a soldier who doesn’t have that trait, or blatantly disregards it. (Does that make him an unfit soldier? An anti-hero? A villain?)
     
  • Imagine the military of the future. What gadgets do they have? What skills do they need?
     
  • Write a story about U.S. Military Occupation on the moon. Why are we there? What’s happened? What would happen if weren’t there?
     
  • What if there were no militias the world over? Would the world be a better place, or worse?
     
Thursday, November 11th, 2010

Thank You, Veterans…Thank You Current Service Men and Women

Walter J. Rakowski

Your hard work, service, and dedication are neither forgotten, nor overlooked.

My family has a strong history of military service: grandfathers on both my mother’s and father’s side of the family and more uncles than I can count have served. Some have given their lives in service, some have dedicated their lives to serving.

Pictured is my great-uncle, Walter J. Rakowski. He held the rank of Staff Sergeant and served as an Ordnance Officer (ammunition) up until the time he died in service. He served in World War II, Korea and Vietnam.

I often wonder, not just on days of remembrance, what life would have been like had they not made the choice to enlist. I know it wouldn’t be as good as it is.

To all U.S. Military personnel: Thank You.

~~~~~~~~~~~~

From the Department of Veteran’s Affairs Web site, History of Veteran’s Day:

The United States Congress officially recognized the end of World War I when it passed a concurrent resolution on June 4, 1926, with these words:

Whereas the 11th of November 1918, marked the cessation of the most destructive, sanguinary, and far reaching war in human annals and the resumption by the people of the United States of peaceful relations with other nations, which we hope may never again be severed, and

Whereas it is fitting that the recurring anniversary of this date should be commemorated with thanksgiving and prayer and exercises designed to perpetuate peace through good will and mutual understanding between nations; and

Whereas the legislatures of twenty-seven of our States have already declared November 11 to be a legal holiday: Therefore be it Resolved by the Senate (the House of Representatives concurring), that the President of the United States is requested to issue a proclamation calling upon the officials to display the flag of the United States on all Government buildings on November 11 and inviting the people of the United States to observe the day in schools and churches, or other suitable places, with appropriate ceremonies of friendly relations with all other peoples.

Military Tombstone: SSG Walter J. Rakowski
Rest In Peace, Uncle Walter.
 
Rest In Peace all who have served our country and are no longer with us.