CLARKSVILLE, TN (CLARKSVILLE NOW) – Local students Kaila David and Tara Crouch were chosen as winners of the 2022 Kiwanis Interview-a-Veteran Essay Contest.
This year, over 10,000 middle school and high school students interviewed active duty or veteran soldiers for their essays. That’s more than double last year’s 4,000 participation, according to Ron Smithfield of the Kiwanis Club.
Middle school division winner Kalia, a seventh grader from Montgomery Central Middle School, interviewed World War II, Korean and Vietnam War veteran Harry Miller. She also won the Col. Ted Crozier Sr. Most Heroic Award.
Winner of the high school division and grand winner of the contest is Clarksville High School senior Tara. Her interview with her step-grandfather Denny Papo won the Lynn Hunter Most Inspiring Award.
You can read the winning essays below.
Middle school winner: Kaila David
Two hundred forty seven years and approximately three months since the military was created, despite war tactics being used many years before the common era, which is why conflict is so familiar to us and also why it is important to shine the light on those who have served to protect our country. Harry Miller served for twenty two years in the army and the Air force together, fought as a combat veteran in World War II, fought in the Korean and Vietnam wars. The sacrifices and services of Harry Miller help me better understand freedom because working in the military isn’t easy, the many times his life was at risk, and finally the individual’s devotion to put into the military.
If there is one thing for certain, the military work isn’t simple elementary work. Harry Miller, for instance, not only had to go through three wars that had a huge impact on the present day, but also lived to tell the tale. As he once stated, “a continual push, you never got a chance to sleep unless you were lucky.” This evidence shows that to stay awake throughout an already stressful and exhausting situation only makes them feel more tired, and to go days without sleep is already dangerous as it is. Another trouble he went through was joining the military itself, as both of his parents had died before the age of fifteen, which was when he first started. “My mother died when I was three, my dad died when I was twelve,” and the during the interview he also said “It was difficult, the Army had started a program called the Enlisted Reserve Corps” This evidence supports my reasoning not only because it is emotionally difficult to get over the death of your parents but to get into the Military at the age of fifteen without them would’ve make it more difficult.
All the sacrifices made for our home, big and small, are why we still live in freedom to this day. Everyone knows how important it is to get sleep and to eat, without either it is difficult to do anything at all, since food and sleep give you energy. “It was strictly push, push, push, and sleep when you can and if you can, and eating was something else, you never know whether you’re going to eat or not. This shows that they had to continue pushing themselves up to keep everything in order, even if they were exhausted or starving. In Saint Edwards, Harry Miller rescued 50 Belgian civilians and children from a building previously infested with the opposing Military. According to Harry Miller, “we went in there and found after we got the Germans out of it, we found something like fifty Belgian civilians and children in the basement.” This quote better shines the light on how he and other veterans had fought in order to protect citizens and bring them to safety, freeing them from worry and fear that they may not wake up to see another day.
Finally, Harry Miller held a strong loyalty towards the military and the accuracy of the history told. Harry Miller was able to remember simple aspects that he witnessed or heard throughout the war, and didn’t stay quiet when he heard of an error. “You got a mistake out there, I said that that tank was not captured, its number was three three two. I’ve never forgotten tank number three three two.” This evidence shows that even after the tragedy had occurred, Harry Miller wanted everyone to be aware about the history of the wars he had been through. He also held his desire to join the army since he was a child. To wish to give your life to protect your own country, especially at a young age, is a wish not everyone would take.
In conclusion, the sacrifices of Harry Miller had improved my understanding of freedom because his work wasn’t easy, the risks he took with his own life, and his loyalty towards the army. Freedom hasn’t and never will be free, for we pay with the blood sweat and tears of those we love. While there are many risking their lives and fighting for our peaceful nights of sleep, I find many complaining about our country’s issues. You have little rights to talk bad about our country unless you are the ones trying to make a change.
High school winner: Tara Crouch
The first words my step-grandfather heard when he stepped foot back on U.S. soil was “baby killer.” He and his buddies had just returned from Vietnam where they spent years not only fighting a war for their own country, but building schools and homes for the Vietnamese civilians there. Each and every one of them sacrificed their lives not only to benefit the poor communities in Vietnam, but so that people in the United States could sleep soundly at night. All of the death they faced, blood lost, and scarred minds all just so they could be spit on by their own people the second they arrived back. Denny Papo, my step-grandfather, a.k.a. Pop, was an explosive ordnance disposal specialist (E.O.D.) for three years in the Vietnam War. Unlike many young men who were drafted into the war against their own will, Pop volunteered his own life to devote his honor to his brothers who were dropped into battle without a choice. Denny Papo demonstrated through community service, sacrifice, and honor that even during a bloodthirsty war a common goal can be shared despite the way he was treated by his own people.
The Vietnam War, in itself, was a conflict in Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia from November 1955 to April 1975 fought between The U.S. and their ally, South Vietnam, against North Vietnam, in hopes of ending the spread of communism (“Vietnam War,” Britannica). Just at the age of 18 Denny enlisted in the military, where he went from shoveling 8 feet of snow in his driveway in his hometown in Michigan to E.O.D. school. From there he attended wheel and tank school where he was immediately put on a plane to Okinawa, Thailand in Vietnam. “I knew we weren’t going to Hawaii,” he said. There, his main job was to disassemble anti-tank mines placed by the enemy. Although he wasn’t frontline, when something needed to be blown up or taken apart, he was called. Pop chuckled, “I was the smallest guy there, so they sent me into tunnels to set traps.” Although, his job was done to protect his people, he says, “It was really hard for me knowing that someone was going to die from my work.” Not only did the countless traps Denny placed take a toll on him, but the gruesome weather played a large part. He said, “It doesn’t rain there like it does here, I was having to swim back to my barracks at night where I was walking on dry dirt just 12 hours before”. Because of the never-ending monsoons, rodents had to find shelter somewhere, and that somewhere was the soldiers’ barracks. “The rats were so bad that my friend brought in a Boa Constrictor to keep them out. … That was until my commanding officer shot and killed the thing. Little did he know I still slept with it to keep the rats off of me.” After hearing this, it made me realize just how much I take for granted in my life. Here I am sleeping in a nice, warm bed without giving it a second thought, when my step grand-father was having to share his living quarters with animals.
Denny was very open minded when talking about the war, in fact, I have heard almost all of his memorable experiences especially the “fun stuff.” In other words, when he was able to build a church and a school for the civilians living in Vietnam, is when he was most happy. As well as this he even taught the people how to disassemble bombs or land mines if they ever came across one. He smiled, “This made me feel like I had a purpose.” Although, when I asked the question, “what is the most surreal thing you experienced in Vietnam?” He was caught off guard, and his whole manner changed for the rest of the interview. Himself and his sergeant followed behind 4 trucks heading back to base, when all of a sudden they received fire from the trees. His sergeant sitting in the passenger seat known as the “rifleman,” got out and returned fire in the opposing direction. Pop started, “the sniper was only 15.” The silence echoed through the phone. What felt like an eternity, he continued as if I had never asked that question in the first place. “I served three years and was out completely, I never wanted to go back.”
As if that wasn’t hard enough, himself and many other Vietnam war veterans were treated with no respect, rather looked at with anger and disgust upon arrival (“Coming Home: Vietnam Veterans in American Society”). Although this didn’t phase Denny, instead he chose to keep serving the same community and helping others through his work at the fire department. “I knew I always wanted to be a firefighter and help people after the war was over.” Pop described what prompted this dream. “A fire alarm sounded through camp, and without hesitation I ran through the smoke and fire and put it out. People thought I was crazy.” From then on and for the next 30 years he lived out his dream.
In conclusion, even though Pop received negative treatment, along with many other veterans, he showed that helping others always comes first. He emphasizes, “Whatever doesn’t kill you makes you stronger.” Denny Papo cared about all the people who loved him and the ones who didn’t care about him at all. He demonstrated community service by building churches and hospitals, and putting his life at risk by disabling bombs. After learning about Denny’s experiences from the gruesome war, a common goal for helping others can be shared despite the way he was treated by his own people.