Veterans Writing Process

The prevalent tradition at Ravenswood Middle School is to send all of the eighth graders on an outing to Washington, D.C. for celebratory reasons. Months in advance, they disclosed that there was going to be a writing contest on "Why are Veterans important?" Four recipients would be chosen to participate in the laying of a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknowns in Arlington National Cemetery. Following this remarkable opportunity, I simultaneously felt inspired to prevail. The writing process was extremely easy due to the volume of passion I have for our Veterans... Specifically, one veteran.

My great-grandmother, Alicia Bear Watkins or "Allie Bear", was one of the earliest who entered the Women's Army Corps during World War II. Although I was only a toddler, her and I shared her last years of life together. …show more content…
As our class toured the rest of Arlington National Cemetery, the four of us who were selected dressed in nicer clothing, later to be held in a corridor. A volunteer sentinel for the tomb lined us up into a box, explained the basic guidelines and prepared us for the big moment. Shortly after, the room fell silent, indicating that the ceremony was about to begin. Thus, I became anxious, twiddle my thumbs when the sentinel nodded his head to notify that we were to proceed with the ceremony. The doors swung open to the bluest sky, I've ever seen. Stepping forward, I am immediately hit with a flood of unfamiliar emotions. As we approached the tomb, I bowed my head to pay my respects to the four men that lie within its walls. There I was, standing in such a sacred and prodigious spot all in memory of Allie Bear, and I had finally felt that this was an equitable gesture of gratitude to her. Before I turned away to leave the site, I looked up at the blue sky and smiled, for my heart was filled with joy and closure. Forever will that moment be engraved in my