For my birthday I decided to give back to my community and volunteered for a Veteran's panel that granted middle schooler's the opportunity to learn what it is like to be a Veteran. I was the only female in the group of three men, one of which happens to be a backslider named Fred Goode.
On the way to the school, I was sitting at a red light getting ready to turn left when I heard tons of noise and was over taken by three men on motor cycles. They pulled right in front of me. Instantly I knew that they were the Veteran's I was to participate with and started laughing. Wait till they meet the lady with the wheel chair!
The young teenagers met us with a sign welcoming us to their class. Their teacher was very patriotic.
I tried to focus my speech on women's rights and how far we have come. That being in the Military is now equal opportunity. Back when I was in, it wasn't so. Women where not allowed in the combat zone at all. We were in the supportive rolls. I also talked about how the influence of World War II had on my career. I was destined for sheet metal. Women have smaller hands and can do easily do detail work that men can't. I passed around pictures of "Rosie the Riveter" and two other pictures that were influential during WWII.
The men who spoke were from the Vietnam and Iraq wars. I felt honored to stand with such brave men.
At lunch break, the fellow's set out their bikes in the quad and the children gathered around.
At the end of each class the students were asked to shake our hands and thank us for our service. Over all the children were very respectful to us. They wanted to hear about the blood an guts of war. The men kept things simplistic so that they would not be grossed out.
After the school day ended, the men left in a noisy and demonstrative roar showing off how cool it is to be a Vet.
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