Editor:

On Monday night, Nov.16, Mr. Don Williams and the Golden Corral Restaurant again provided free meals for all area veterans of our military service. This event was a wonderful token of appreciation from Mr. Williams and his staff, and they are greatly appreciated in our community.

Like so many others and like so many years before, I again took advantage of this opportunity. Not only did I enjoy a great meal, but I was able to reconnect with some old friends and fellow veterans whom I have not seen in quite a while.

But something was different for me at this event, and it was not until I began thinking about it again days later that I realized specifically what had made the difference.

As in past years, the Crisp County High School Junior ROTC was present to greet diners, pin them with a "I Served" sticker, and assist them in any way possible.

Unlike past years, however, I took the time to speak personally to several of the JROTC members about their involvement in the program, their accomplishments and setbacks, and their goals and aspirations.

I was greatly impressed by their sense of value, duty, professionalism, and allegiance to their program and country.

Without any prompting from school officials, these students were speaking and acting straight from the heart with a sense of discipline that was obviously ingrained in them.

I have passed various JROTC members many times before as they walked along to wherever they were going, and I remember wondering why any student would choose to involve him or herself in such a strict, para-military program in high school.

Wouldn't sports, band, or even the debate team give them more freedom to define themselves as individuals and to "fit in" better with the general school population?

Principles of leadership, effective relationships, values, and ethics can be learned in any number of activities and clubs sponsored through our school systems without undergoing the rigid parameters for conduct, appearance, attitude, and demeanor set by the military.

Why would anyone want to get dressed in those meticulous military uniforms and go through the militaristic disciplines of the day with their conduct being as closely scrutinized as their grades?

Why would they pass up the opportunity to live the most exciting years of their lives in a carefree and spontaneous style knowing that there will be plenty of time in adulthood to get so serious about life?

After personally speaking with several of the cadets on Monday night, I quickly realized that my judgments and perceptions were seriously flawed. These students are not engaged in the JROTC program because anyone expects them to be or because they are trying to impress anyone or because they need strict discipline in their lives in order to succeed.

They have developed a strong sense of identity, self-esteem, and direction in their lives with a solid set of values and ethics. They are focused on what they want to accomplish in life, and they have set their goals and aspirations toward that end.

The military component simply reflects who they are as individuals and an elite group. It doesn't dictate who they are. They've defined that for themselves under the quality leadership and guidance provided to them.

They are proud to wear their uniforms and have an opportunity to serve others in any role possible at such a young age. Their role models have been carefully selected, and it is apparent that they have been positively influenced by the adults in their lives.

Such discipline and self-realization begins in the family unit and is continually nurtured by the school administration and JROTC program directors and instructors in order to develop the type of character and demeanor that was demonstrated on Veterans' night by this group of students.

We should be extremely appreciative of the work being done by the administrators in this program. It is positively reflected in their students.

At a time when so many of our young people are turning to gangs and other unhealthy places for a sense of belonging, the JROTC students who I engaged spoke of the importance of family relationships and service to others.

They expressed excitement and anticipation toward what the future may hold for them, and they expressed a sincere commitment to make themselves ready for whatever may come their way.

This was a refreshing experience for me, and it reinforced my faith in our young people. These students have already begun to take on leadership roles in life, and we can all be very proud of them.

They totally opened the eyes of this old Viet Nam combat soldier.

A concerned vet

Neal Edalgo