“I do not forget nor take for granted what each and every one of our men and women in uniform have done for our country,” said student Michael Kaether from Stamford, CA.
Michael, 16, was recently selected to participate in a formal wreath laying ceremony to honor fallen U.S. soldiers at Arlington National Cemetery. He was one of four students selected to represent his spring session of Envision’s National Youth Leadership Forum: Careers in National Security – Diplomacy, Intelligence & Defense.
NYLF National Security is focused on preparing our nation’s top students for future careers in national security. In order to prepare for the future, it is important to understand our nation’s past. In addition to hands-on career exploration activities, NYLF National Security students pay respect to those who came before them at Washington, DC’s memorials.
The Tomb of the Unknown Solider
One such memorial is at Arlington National Cemetery: the Tomb of the Unknown Solider. The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier is the resting place of an unidentified American soldier from World War I.
The Unknown Soldier represents all missing and unknown service members who gave their lives in service to our country. The tomb is guarded 24 hours a day, 365 days a year by Tomb Guard sentinels.
Formal ceremonies are held to lay a wreath on the tomb, to pay respect to these anonymous heroes.
Each session of NYLF National Security, four students are selected through an essay contest to lay a wreath on the tomb in such a ceremony.
Personal Inspiration
The students who were selected to lay wreaths this spring are from throughout the United States. Many cited friends and family members as inspiration for participating in the ceremony – current members of the military, survivors of the line of fire, and those who died in service to our country. Others are current members of Junior Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (JROTC) programs, or aspire to attend one of the United States Service Academies.
Twelve students were selected out of more than 100 who submitted essays during three sessions of NYLF National Security this spring. In their essays, students described what it would mean to them to lay the wreath.
Congratulations, and thank you, to the 12 students who participated in the ceremony this spring:
- Gabi Cohen – Jacksonville, FL
- Dylan Flugge – El Paso, TX
- Rhett Gully – Yuma, AZ
- Lily Jardines – North Bellmore, NM
- Kelsey Jewell – Stevenson Ranch, CA
- Michael Kaether – Stamford, CT
- Sophie Marshall – Battle Creek, MI
- Paul Schaufert – Forest, VA
- Logan Schraufnagel – Belleville, IL
- Tucker Bryant Smith – Kings Mountain, NC
- Chris Turley – Findlay, OH
- Noah Weise – North Hills, CA
Respect and Remembrance of Sacrifice
“The Tomb of the Unknowns is a very emotional location. I respect people who display their emotions in honor of our fallen soldiers,” said Logan Schraufnagel, 16, from Belleville, IL in his winning essay.
Gabi Cohen, 16, from Jacksonville, FL, agreed.
“My love for America comes from those who have lost their lives so others could be free,” Gabi said. “Many of those people are not recognized for what they did. Those people deserve to be remembered and thanked for their sacrifice.”
Michael Kaether said, “I carry a great respect, not only for their profession, but also for the astounding courage and sacrifice that every single one of them shows on a daily basis, knowing very well that every day might be their last.”
background-image: a building with the American flag in front of it