Our quote this week comes from Norman Schwarzkopf. Schwarzkopf was a United States Army General. While serving as Commander-in-chief of the United States Central Command, he led all coalition forces in the Gulf War. I thought this would be a perfect quote to accompany our short lesson on Veterans Day.
“The truth of the matter is that you always know the right thing to do. The hard part is doing it.”
This quote has two parts to it. The first part is the knowing, or not knowing, what is the proper thing to do. The second is acting on that knowledge. As the quote says, the first part is the easy part for most of us. It’s the second part that is often the more difficult. And that, I believe, is what the quote is warning us about. It’s easy enough to know what to do, but are we strong enough to do it? Are we willing to do what is necessary, to bear the burdens or challenges which the right decision will bring?
This quote literally affects every human being on this Earth. However, when I read it a few weeks ago, I began to examine the meaning from a perspective of a Veteran.
“The truth of the matter is that you always know the right thing to do. The hard part is doing it.”
This quote has two parts to it. The first part is the knowing, or not knowing, what is the proper thing to do. The second is acting on that knowledge. As the quote says, the first part is the easy part for most of us. It’s the second part that is often the more difficult. And that, I believe, is what the quote is warning us about. It’s easy enough to know what to do, but are we strong enough to do it? Are we willing to do what is necessary, to bear the burdens or challenges which the right decision will bring?
This quote literally affects every human being on this Earth. However, when I read it a few weeks ago, I began to examine the meaning from a perspective of a Veteran.
Top: Dave Bradshaw, Bottom: Henry Pierce
As with any other introduction of the quote, I tried to get personal with students. The sooner I can grasp their attention, the better response I receive from the students. We talked about Veterans Day and what it meant to be a Veteran. I pulled up a picture of two of my very favorite Veterans, my father and grandfather. After I told them who they were, I got a bunch of giggles. They immediately saw similarities that I share with my father and grandfather. One student even said, oh wow, that’s why you are so handsome Mr. B! (This made me LOL on the inside)
I chose to tell my students a very short introduction about both of these men. Each arrived to the title of Veteran by very different routes. My father, Dave, was drafted to the Army during the Vietnam War. In his initial training as an E5 Specialist, he learned to be a technician on the boats that were floating up and down the rivers of Vietnam. However, a strange and somewhat wild twist may have saved his life. One day they needed someone who could type. My father was the only person in the group who could type. It was at that point that he became a Secret Document Courier. He delivered secret messages throughout the Vietnamese Jungles where he later was awarded the Bronze Star for his actions.
I chose to tell my students a very short introduction about both of these men. Each arrived to the title of Veteran by very different routes. My father, Dave, was drafted to the Army during the Vietnam War. In his initial training as an E5 Specialist, he learned to be a technician on the boats that were floating up and down the rivers of Vietnam. However, a strange and somewhat wild twist may have saved his life. One day they needed someone who could type. My father was the only person in the group who could type. It was at that point that he became a Secret Document Courier. He delivered secret messages throughout the Vietnamese Jungles where he later was awarded the Bronze Star for his actions.
My grandfather, Henry Pierce was a Radio Gunner on countless missions aboard a B-25 nicknamed the Fickle Finger of Fate during WWII. He is pictured below with his plane. He enlisted on his own. From what I remember, he enlisted and came home and told grandma that he would be leaving. My grandfather was later awarded the Oak Leaf Cluster for his actions as well.
I shared these stories to my students so that they could catch a glimpse of two men who served their country. They have put our weekly quote into real life action for us. Grandpa knew he wanted to make a difference and protect the ones that he loved and he followed through. My father, be that as it may didn’t, on free will, choose this path, however, he followed his heart once he was placed to do the job and never faltered. When dad was deep in the jungles delivering a secret message or when grandpa was in flight on a mission...those were the hard parts. They knew what they had to do and they met each hurdle with bravery and courage.
One of the last things my grandfather reminded me before he passed was to always remember the Veterans. At this point I had been teaching for a couple of years and his advice has always followed me. I make certain each year that we take the time in the classroom to honor our Veterans. When my father returned home from the war, he was met in the airport with much disrespect. He was yelled at, spit upon, and broken down--such a terrible welcome home. It’s our duty as educators to make certain our students understand the sacrifices our Veterans have made in order for us to be where we are today.
One of the last things my grandfather reminded me before he passed was to always remember the Veterans. At this point I had been teaching for a couple of years and his advice has always followed me. I make certain each year that we take the time in the classroom to honor our Veterans. When my father returned home from the war, he was met in the airport with much disrespect. He was yelled at, spit upon, and broken down--such a terrible welcome home. It’s our duty as educators to make certain our students understand the sacrifices our Veterans have made in order for us to be where we are today.
Call to Action:
Do you have a special veteran you would like to have honored? Please email at dbradshaw@kennett.k12.mo.us with the subject line of "Honor The Vets". Let me know their name and mailing address. My class would love to send a letter of thanks.
We will see everyone on November 26th. Keep the Quote is taking next week off for Thanksgiving! On behalf of Room 16, I hope that each of our readers will be surrounded by loved ones for the Thanksgiving holiday.
Until the next time,
Mr. B
We will see everyone on November 26th. Keep the Quote is taking next week off for Thanksgiving! On behalf of Room 16, I hope that each of our readers will be surrounded by loved ones for the Thanksgiving holiday.
Until the next time,
Mr. B
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