What the word Veteran means to me?

The American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language defines the word veteran as follows: 1. One who has a long record of service in a given activity or capacity. 2. One who has been a member of the armed forces. These words may encompass the basic principle of the word veteran, but they fall short of the true definition of Veteran. For me, the word veteran means so much more than that. Words like selfless, hard-working men and women who sacrifice their lives for this great country that we live in. Veterans knowingly and willingly put their lives into the path of danger. They are America’s finest citizens, not because of wealth. The honor of a veteran is unquestionable. They have fought and died for the nation and its citizens. They are heroes beyond any regard. Veterans do not die. It is simply said their actions echo through the halls of eternity. Our country is often shaped and formed by what happens in Washington, D.C., but America is truly defined out on the battlefield. Our honorable, courageous veterans dictate the pride of the United States. Their actions speak louder than politician’s speech will ever. Veterans will always be around, for there will always be a war to be fought. Veterans mean a lot to me, they protected this country when I was a mere infant. They were not just protecting this nation; they were protecting million children and me. To me, veterans deserve more than memorials and more than wealth, they deserved to be honored for being America’s finest.

Samuel L. VanGeison

Convertible Weekends

So this weekend was practically one of the best weekends of my life.

Top down, AC/DC on the stereo, sunglasses on, the world could not get better than this. I can't describe the feeling of power I got while hauling ass down the highway with no place in particular to be at a certain time. My disheveled hair looked amazing, glorious in the rearview mirror. Me, I'm just a red blurred lightning bolt charging down Route 48.

I ended going to prom at the very last minute. I got my tux Friday, along with my flowers, and not to mention my date, Elizabeth. I got the keys for the ThunderBird on Friday as well. That was fun. I drove to Taylorville to get it washed. I stopped to fuel up before heading off. I paid only $16, which still perplexes and astounds me. I got the car washed and I drove over to Spencer's. Apparently he had just arrived home. We drove around town with the top down and at one point we had a person chasing us, scary, but yeah we lost them after a while. Not they lost interest kind of lost, but a few quick turns here and there kind of lost. Went out to the park, beautiful day for a drive in the park in a convertible. I had to drive it home, for alas, I couldn't keep it out that night.

Friday night was a bit relaxed. Not too much to talk about, just watched National Treasure with a fine group of friends.

Saturday, Prom, all hell breaks loose at the whim of Great Magnet.

Ok, maybe not.

Prom was great, I had fun. I can't really complain. I had a great time. Dinner was entertaining and informative, to say the least. Let's just say forks have been added to my Eating Utensils to Avoid list, along with chop sticks.

After that, we all went through a rigorous barrage of picture-taking. I think I might be entirely blind in my left eye, now. With what sight I could muster, Elizabeth looked rather beautiful.

I'm surprised what a reaction the Thunderbird got. I actually girls asking me if I would be their dates. Of course I said, I already have a sweet car, and a sweet date to boot, a man can only ask for so much.

Prom itself was fun, great. Could have dealt with some rock, though. Coronation, as always, took forever. When American Pie was finished playing and the lights came back on, the truth hit home. That's the last time I will hear that song in this place. It never sounded sweeter to my ears than it did that night.

I took Elizabeth home. I remember smiling for some odd reason, one hell of a night it had been.

The post party at McClure's was laidback, which I am a fan of the laidback.We made a late at night journey to Bill's. Nothing better than a chocolate milkshake and a grilled cheese at 2 in the morning. Watched a movie, Jerk. I have seen it before and it's a hilarious movie. I kind of drifted in and out of consciousness during the movie. I was awake before daybreak. Megan suggested going out to the country to watch the sunrise, but apparently the idea of getting up at 5 am did not appeal to the masses. It did however appeal to yours truly. I threw on my slippers and made way for the country. The sunrise that morning was something out of a movie, just too rare to cheapen with words. Blood-red rays of sunshine screaming through a thin layer of clouds on the horizon, kicking my ass all across the Boulevard of Broken Dreams, strange it seems that this track should be playing with me all by my lonesome. I have seen many sunsets and sunrises, but nothing of a beauty like this. There was something more to this. So powerful that to fully realize it, you might be blinded.

I went back to McClure's and slept for off and on. When I came to, Katharyn was reading a book. I remember getting up and grabbing my copy of Navigating the Maze, gave it to her, and slipped back into a comatose state.

When I awoke, we engaged in such randomness, that I cannot even begin to list the activities.

Apparently, I have subconsciously invaded Katharyn's life. She has a friend named Sam, who has blond hair and blue eyes like myself. She also has one or two friends that I resemble in appearance. And she was reading a short story where the main character's name is Sam and he has blue eyes. Twilight Zone, anyone, anyone?

Take it easy.