Sean Barber, 11-13, San Miguel School, Tulsa, OK
On November 11th our nation recognizes Veterans Day, a holiday honoring the men and women who served in the armed forces. Many have heard of this holiday but few remember its origin. Veterans Day as we know it was formerly Armistice Day, to recognize the day that the First World War ended. On the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month in 1918 we ended one of the worst events in human history. Now 94 years later it might just be time to remember the armistice once more.
Throughout the world today we hear about a conflict in one country, potential war in another and worse yet crime in our own backyards. It was because of these facts that so many joined various service organizations across the United States just like the Lasallian Volunteers. My time as an LV has been an eye opening experience. When I first moved to Tulsa, Oklahoma, all I could tell you about the city was that one of my best friends had moved from Tulsa to Chicago. But the more time I spend in the city the more I realize that every city and town across the world and right here in the United States needs help from everyday people. The very point of Veterans Day is to remember everyday men and women who stepped up to the challenge of serving their country and trying the make the world better. The LVs give many people, including myself, a chance to serve in some of the most forgotten parts of our country.
When I first moved to Tulsa, I was in shock. I was hundreds of miles from home and was a first year teacher with little experience. I kept questioning why in the world I was doing this and how I could help all of these students if I was scared? The one thing that kept me going was the support of my family and friends. Everyone I knew said they were proud of me and the work I was doing. After a while I realized that the amazing people who work at the San Miguel School, the Lasallian Mission, and the middle school students I serve are the reasons why I am in Tulsa.
Every day I get to interact with people who try to bring peace to the world by changing the very city they live in and I hope these good deeds keep spreading outward to the rest of the world. Everyone has the opportunity to bring peace to the world and have their own armistice. So today, why not try to bring peace not only to the people that you work with, the stranger you meet, your family and friends but most importantly…to yourself.
Sean Barber, 11-13, San Miguel School, Tulsa, OK