memorial day essay contest winners
The Knox Historical Society sponsored the 1st annual Memorial Day Contest with the theme "Local and Family Military Heroes." The top winning essay writers were:
1st Place Chloe Daguillo
2nd Tyler Harnett
Each of the winners read their very moving essays at the Knox Memorial Day Parade ceremony in front of the Knox Town Hall on Monday, May 28, 2018.
We applaud these young citizens for preserving personal memories of family and friends and for their very poised presentation.
1st Place Chloe Daguillo
2nd Tyler Harnett
Each of the winners read their very moving essays at the Knox Memorial Day Parade ceremony in front of the Knox Town Hall on Monday, May 28, 2018.
We applaud these young citizens for preserving personal memories of family and friends and for their very poised presentation.
1st Place Winner
Chloe Daguillo
reading her essay.
Chloe Daguillo
reading her essay.
Chloe Daguillo May 22, 2018 Military Services essay 1st Place
There are many people that put their lives at risk to protect and keep our country safe. Citizens believe in those who are strong and courageous enough to do this. Children look up to people who serve in the United States military services, and want to be just like them when they grow up. One such example would be my Poppy (Grandpa) who served in the U.S. Navy from 1971 to 1973. He showed me what it was like to be strong willed and determined. He served on the carrier the USS Independence. His service to me made a big difference on how I act to this day. He showed me what you could accomplish working as one. This changed my whole perspective on life and made me realize what people would do to protect our country. These events are so important to know dating back in history and ones occurring now that people have taken on and will continue to take on to serve in the U.S. military services. A local person I also chose to write about is April C.Kellerman, a U.S. Marine, mother, and has an education in early childhood education. April was in the United States Marine Corps. She was one of the thousands of other women to enlist in the Armed Forces after being told a girl can't make it. She abolished the right for people to call women words other than what she's known as, which is a Marine. The value of her service to me made an impact on my life because I am a woman and I believe we deserve the respect from those who don't believe in us for who we are. She has also showed me that just because you are thought of as a woman of "feminism" to prove them wrong. April C. Keller was capable of holding many other professions and being a mom, in her time which makes her a role model for me because you shouldn't have to be set in stone on one thing that you want to do with your life. Both my Grandpa and April C. Keller have impacted my life since I've heard their stories. They have not only made me a better woman, but now I see the sacrifices people are willing to make to protect their people and country.
There are many people that put their lives at risk to protect and keep our country safe. Citizens believe in those who are strong and courageous enough to do this. Children look up to people who serve in the United States military services, and want to be just like them when they grow up. One such example would be my Poppy (Grandpa) who served in the U.S. Navy from 1971 to 1973. He showed me what it was like to be strong willed and determined. He served on the carrier the USS Independence. His service to me made a big difference on how I act to this day. He showed me what you could accomplish working as one. This changed my whole perspective on life and made me realize what people would do to protect our country. These events are so important to know dating back in history and ones occurring now that people have taken on and will continue to take on to serve in the U.S. military services. A local person I also chose to write about is April C.Kellerman, a U.S. Marine, mother, and has an education in early childhood education. April was in the United States Marine Corps. She was one of the thousands of other women to enlist in the Armed Forces after being told a girl can't make it. She abolished the right for people to call women words other than what she's known as, which is a Marine. The value of her service to me made an impact on my life because I am a woman and I believe we deserve the respect from those who don't believe in us for who we are. She has also showed me that just because you are thought of as a woman of "feminism" to prove them wrong. April C. Keller was capable of holding many other professions and being a mom, in her time which makes her a role model for me because you shouldn't have to be set in stone on one thing that you want to do with your life. Both my Grandpa and April C. Keller have impacted my life since I've heard their stories. They have not only made me a better woman, but now I see the sacrifices people are willing to make to protect their people and country.
2nd Place Winner
Tyler Harnett
reading his essay.
Tyler Harnett
reading his essay.
Tyler Harnett 2018 My Family Hero 2nd Place
The person I am writing about today is my grandfather, Gary R Miller. He served in the Vietnam War for 1 year, as a Navy C.B. (construction battalion). He was a heavy equipment runner, as well as a builder. He was only 23 years old when he was drafted into the service to fight in Vietnam. Their trip to Vietnam started at his base in Mississippi. Then he went to Alaska, Hawaii, Japan, then finally to Vietnam. While he was there, he paved runways and roads for equipment and people. Also he built bridges and did mine sweeps for the artillery to come through. It usually took them 6-8 months to build a structure.
The food in Vietnam was bad to people that did not eat it from when they were little, it was fertilized with human feces. The water they got was from a river and was purified, making it good to drink.
He also went into firefights with the enemy and came back uninjured. Sometimes they even had to call in Air Force for back-up to cover them. Also our allies back then, the Koreans, were called in to help. Vietnam people tried to take back their cities, but they did not succeed in the mission because the Americans stopped them. The enemy made tunnels to get to the Americans, and then they would disappear out of nowhere. Gary was once trapped, and he could not get out. He thought he was not going to make it home to his family, but thankfully a missile from a gunship came in to rescue them. He was so thankful for the Sergeant that called in the air missile. Once when he was doing a mine sweep with a helicopter, it blew up because of the mine. But he was not in it. The war claimed 58,200 American troops, including 3 of his close friends. He also lost his older brother Bill to Agent Orange. (Agent Orange was a herbicide mixture used by the U.S. military during the Vietnam War. Much of it contained a dangerous chemical contaminant called dioxin. Gary was also affected by it, as his teeth started decaying, and has suffered many other medical issues.
His service means a lot to me because he fought to protect us, and fight for the freedom of this country. Luckily a couple of years after the war he found the love of his life and had two children. Gary also has three grandchildren. He did not regret serving in the Vietnam War, because he was able to help secure the freedoms we enjoy today.
The person I am writing about today is my grandfather, Gary R Miller. He served in the Vietnam War for 1 year, as a Navy C.B. (construction battalion). He was a heavy equipment runner, as well as a builder. He was only 23 years old when he was drafted into the service to fight in Vietnam. Their trip to Vietnam started at his base in Mississippi. Then he went to Alaska, Hawaii, Japan, then finally to Vietnam. While he was there, he paved runways and roads for equipment and people. Also he built bridges and did mine sweeps for the artillery to come through. It usually took them 6-8 months to build a structure.
The food in Vietnam was bad to people that did not eat it from when they were little, it was fertilized with human feces. The water they got was from a river and was purified, making it good to drink.
He also went into firefights with the enemy and came back uninjured. Sometimes they even had to call in Air Force for back-up to cover them. Also our allies back then, the Koreans, were called in to help. Vietnam people tried to take back their cities, but they did not succeed in the mission because the Americans stopped them. The enemy made tunnels to get to the Americans, and then they would disappear out of nowhere. Gary was once trapped, and he could not get out. He thought he was not going to make it home to his family, but thankfully a missile from a gunship came in to rescue them. He was so thankful for the Sergeant that called in the air missile. Once when he was doing a mine sweep with a helicopter, it blew up because of the mine. But he was not in it. The war claimed 58,200 American troops, including 3 of his close friends. He also lost his older brother Bill to Agent Orange. (Agent Orange was a herbicide mixture used by the U.S. military during the Vietnam War. Much of it contained a dangerous chemical contaminant called dioxin. Gary was also affected by it, as his teeth started decaying, and has suffered many other medical issues.
His service means a lot to me because he fought to protect us, and fight for the freedom of this country. Luckily a couple of years after the war he found the love of his life and had two children. Gary also has three grandchildren. He did not regret serving in the Vietnam War, because he was able to help secure the freedoms we enjoy today.
Miranda Grzywaczewski 2018 3rd Place
Memorial Day is more than just a day off from work and from school. It is a way for people who have had parents and grandparents who have risked their lives to fight for our freedom and for the ability to keep the freedoms, that most people tend to take for granted in the twenty-first century. A person who has set such an example in Berne is Dennis Palow. He has served in various countries in the army and now is retired. As a community, we should thank people like Dennis for protecting our country and our rights as American citizens. Another person in our community is Greg Lobalbo who has also served in the military to protect our country. Overall, Americans should be thankful and appreciative of their services as well as all of the other veterans who served to protect us. Memorial Day is a day to respect our soldiers and veterans that have protected us.
Memorial Day is more than just a day off from work and from school. It is a way for people who have had parents and grandparents who have risked their lives to fight for our freedom and for the ability to keep the freedoms, that most people tend to take for granted in the twenty-first century. A person who has set such an example in Berne is Dennis Palow. He has served in various countries in the army and now is retired. As a community, we should thank people like Dennis for protecting our country and our rights as American citizens. Another person in our community is Greg Lobalbo who has also served in the military to protect our country. Overall, Americans should be thankful and appreciative of their services as well as all of the other veterans who served to protect us. Memorial Day is a day to respect our soldiers and veterans that have protected us.
