Medicine
Lodge High School
Medicine
Lodge, Kansas
Teacher: Mrs. Devra Parker
Peace in
Troubled Times
By:
Chelsi Winborne
12th
grade
It is a perfectly normal Tuesday morning in
mid-September. I awake at my usual time to get ready for another day at the
small, rural high school where I attend. As I continue to prepare, I find myself
dreading the seemingly important tasks before me. Sitting down in the living
room, I begin putting on my socks and shoes. Suddenly, a special news update
appears on the TV. Without thinking, I hear myself say, "Oh no,"
because I have never seen this type of interruption during the morning news
before. Then, the reporter begins to tell the breaking news that an airplane has
collided into the World Trade Center in New York City. As my parents and I watch
the live coverage of the massive building already consumed with flames and
smoke, another plane approaches the second tower. It banks and soars directly
into the other structure. With both buildings in the process of destruction, we
realize this is not a coincidence and our country will never be the same. At
times like these, it seems peace is completely out of our
reach, but many people have words and ideas to encourage us in our search
for tranquillity.
An
unknown person once said, "To preserve peace, we need weapons of smaller
and men of larger caliber." This quote is quite profound because it reminds
us that weapons cannot and never will have the ability to bring ultimate peace.
The secret to healing the world around us involves character, not cruelty. As
America fights the war against terrorism, it is evident that we have not
sacrificed our values. According to CBSnews.com, the United Nations
Population Fund has asked for $4.5 million in emergency relief for Afghan
refugees, and humanitarian efforts continue to drop food and supplies to the
severely war-torn nation. It seems ironic that in the midst of tragedy, America
still demonstrates compassion toward others. Although the person who made this
quote is unknown, I consider him or her very wise. It appears that he or she
understands the realities of being human and knows the actual basis for peace is
integrity. I agree with this quote because without men of wisdom and integrity,
chaos would inevitably prevail.
Another
view on how to bring about peace is illustrated by Reverend Billy Graham. He
once said, "We must have military power to keep madmen from taking over the
world." As important as wisdom is when fighting an enemy, military strength
is also essential to protecting the freedoms we have. War is a sad reality in
the world we live in, but history has proven the side with the strongest
military force almost always takes the victory. America has been blessed with
strength and wisdom as we fight against terrorism in Afghanistan. The United
States has some of the most sophisticated weaponry in the world. Through the use
of surveillance air-craft, laser guided bombs, attack submarines, stealth
bombers, and Tomahawk missiles, we are definitely a force to be reckoned with.
Even
though Billy Graham is a conservative Christian who believes in love and
forgiveness, he still understands the cruel logistics of war. According to
Encarta Online, Reverend Graham began large-scale evangelism in 1949, touring
various cities in the United States and Europe. His influence reaches far beyond
typical church buildings into enormous stadiums filled with thousands of people.
As he seeks the lost, political and social acceptance seem to continually
embrace him. I support his quote because of the man he is and the simple logic
which confirms his thinking.
Ben
Herbster once said, "The greatest waste in the world is the difference
between what we are and what we could become." This is a very
thought-provoking quote because it causes us to examine our lives and search for
ways we can improve. It is also quite inspirational because it conveys how
failures in the past and present can bring hope for the future as we continually
try to learn from our mistakes. Conditions on earth will never be perfect
because of human nature, but hopefully we can try to improve, if nothing else,
the way we treat each other. Life is ultimately too short to ceaselessly slander
those around us.
Through my research, I did not obtain much information about Mr. Herbster, except his existence as a Christian leader, so I am led to conclude that he is somewhat of a common person. This assumption causes me to appreciate his words even more. He seems very wise and knowledgeable about human weaknesses. I agree with his statement because by looking to God, the one whose values our nation was built on, we still have the power to change, but without Him we are a waste.
The
date is September 12, 2001, and it is time to prepare for another school day.
Watching the morning news, I realize how much I take the normal days of my life
for granted. The worries of life that prior to the attack consumed my thinking
now seem small and trivial. Tests, assignments, and projects are the least of my
anxieties at this moment in time. More important issues clutter my mind like
peace, patriotism, unity, and freedom. As the rescue efforts and clean-up at
ground zero continues, the sense of national unity and patriotism have soared to
increasingly new heights. Everywhere I look, the colors of red, white, and blue
flood my vision. People are reaching out in love to those around them like never
before. It amazes me to see how positive occurrences can originate from such
devastating events. Although I know our country will never be the same, I do
believe in the hope of peace to come as we unite under the values on which we
were founded.