A student asked to honor a teacher, veteran or first responder might be tempted to begin with a familiar phrase: “Thank you for your service.”
Those words can be sincere, but a good writer has an opportunity to do something more. A good writer can ask what that service actually required.
The North Platte Bulletin’s Oct. 26 notice about VFW Post 1504’s student contests caught my attention because it invites young people to recognize citizens who have contributed to their communities. The assignment offers a lesson in gratitude, but also a lesson in listening.
What did a teacher do when a student was falling behind? How did a veteran understand the responsibilities that continued after military service? What does a first responder do to prepare for a moment most of us hope never comes? Those questions invite a real person into the story. They make it harder to substitute slogans for understanding.
My Christian faith has taught me that praise should be accompanied by humility. In the Gospel of Luke, Jesus notices a poor widow giving a small offering when others might have overlooked her. That passage challenges my instinct to judge a contribution only by how impressive it looks.
Young...