Worst String

VFW Essay: My Commitment to America's Future

            Let us hop into a time machine and travel ahead.  The bright future we shall see is reliant on the actions of today’s people; that is, you and me.  The most for America’s future I can do ere long is not only my schoolwork, but also earn a diploma, and attend college in the prospects of becoming successful.  That is all anyone can do until they have the requisite tools to make an impact on the world around them.  Writing this essay is another step in the right direction.  In many ways, America IS my future.  My commitment to America’s future is little different from the commitment to my own.  It is not just a commitment to the United States, but to the WORLD, indeed, all civilization – humankind.

MY COMMITMENT TO SOCIETY

            “Our deeds determine us, as much as we determine our deeds.” –words by George Eliot.  The best I can do is have a positive influence in those who look up to me.  I, in keeping a role model, will take care of myself, and similarly, participate not in activities that contribute to the degradation of society.

MY COMMITMENT TO THE ENVIRONMENT

            The Earth would have no future without an atmosphere; it is the little blessing of this great blue ball.  To me, this commitment means putting trash in its place, recycling, minimizing greenhouse emissions, conserving resources, and preserving our forests, all of which are the simplest things that everyone is responsible for.

MY COMMITMENT TO JUSTICE

            Morality is the backbone of the judicial system, and my commitment to justice is as simple as obeying the laws of the land.

            My commitment to justice is one of equality as well.  It is to resist all forms of prejudice, and  respect the rights of others, a commitment to freedom.

MY COMMITMENT TO OUR FREEDOMS

            With ability comes responsibility.  None must stand idly by when the rights of HUMAN BEINGS are compromised.  It is my duty to exercise these rights and freedoms and protect those of less privilege.

MY COMMITMENT TO MY COMMUNITY

            Thomas Paine wrote, “If there must be trouble let it be in my day, that my child may have peace,”(The Crisis, No.1).  It is because our ancestors, our parents, and grandparents spoke these words that my peers and I live in the manner we do – in a free country with many things to be thankful for.  It has been said that “children are the future,” so my commitment is not only to myself, but also to children.  If peace does not come in my day, so be it.  My children will live in peace.

MY COMMITMENT TO PEACE

            The good Lord knows I would give my life if it could end all war, but it would not.  Not even giving my life one hundred times over would stop the death and destruction caused by war.  But unfortunately, humans have learned the hard way.  It was Martin Luther King, Jr. who said the very words, “We must learn to live together as brothers, or perish together as fools.”  All wars, foreign or domestic, are civil wars; yet all uncivilized.  It is not to say that the word ‘uncivilized’ describes how wars are fought, or why wars are fought.  Civil war; “A war between factions or regions of the same country,” but from a child’s eyes, it is merely humans fighting humans.  Our peaceful coexistence is truly vital to the future.  I ask not what my country can do for me, I’ve registered with Selective Service, I will register to vote, and take heed of the impact the power of one can have.  It is all I can do besides be read to answer the call; I will answer with my life!

MY COMMITMENT TO FAMILY

            Respect is earned, never given, and by all means, my mother and father have earned they respect they deserve.  I learn from what their backgrounds possess, and pass it on so that others can help make a difference.

            The premise that the human race improves upon itself is a driving force in my life.  I only hope that I may instill the same sense in generations to come.

            For our future to flourish, we must hop into that time machine again, and take from lessons of the past.  “Whosoever cannot learn from history is bound to repeat it.”

WORLD WAR 3

This is World War 3.  World War 3 will not be fought with guns, tanks, missiles, bombs or rockets, but with kindness, understanding, caring, giving, and the word of knowledge.

There need be no blood shed on this battlefield! 

Vengeance is not the path to justice. 

Education is the golden apple. 

If my generation does not have peace, so be it, my children will have peace.  

Rather than living life by the days, weeks, months or years, perhaps we should look to measure what we can accomplish in an hour, or even a minute.

Whether we are man or woman, Cosmonaut or Astronaut, friend or foe; we are all the same, and we are all different.  And that is what unites us all.

Human ignorance is the enemy.  We will work in concert to survive this threat. 

True warriors do not want war, because they know what it brings - death, and death is permanent.

LYRICALJUST

GREETINGS,

You all should expose yourself to my friend Justin's art and expression; just click the following link....

LyricalJust

TARA, IF YOU'RE READING THIS....

I have a question; is there any other way for me to upload pictures other than one at a time? If not, I think I can try yahoo photos.

I love you,

Mike

MY BIO

Michael Sean Murphy spent his first year of high school at Northtowne(North Kansas City High School) when he earned a position in the Kansas City Metropolitan All-District Honorable Mention Band.  Subsequently, Michael attended Winnetonka High School and made the All-State band in 2004 where he served as Missouri’s 1^st Trombone Concert Band Alternate.  He has represented Winnetonka in the KC Metro All-District Jazz Bands and Concert Band as well; twice in the All-District Blue Jazz Band, once in the Gold Jazz Band, and twice in the All-District Concert Band.  In 2001 and 2003 Mike participated in William Jewell College’s Windfest; a collaboration of some of the best area high school musicians.  Mike is a 4-year Above and Beyond Varsity Band Letter Winner.  As of Spring 2004, he is the only musician ever to make the North Kansas City School District High School Honor Band for 5 consecutive years. At State Music festival, Mike has earned Superior ratings for trombone solo and trio, and brass quintet performances.  He has performed the Star Spangled Banner in trombone trio at a Varsity Boy’s Home Basketball game on Tues, Feb. 17, 2004.  In 2003, he was invited to perform with the Army’s 312^th branch Band in Lawrence, KS.  As a Section Leader, Michael was highly active in his high school’s band program competing with Winntonka’s Pride Band in Missouri Western State College’s marching competition(where Winnetonka has competed the past 20 some-odd consecutive years and placed every year), the “Tournament of Champions,” where the Marching Pride took first place in 2000 and 2002.  He belonged to the Symphonic Band, Jazz Band and Combo, Golden Variety (Pep) Band and member of the 2003 American Royal “Viewers Choice” Marching Band, the Winnetonka PRIDE. The Pride Competed in the Grand National Dixie Classic Music Festival in 2004, winning best percussion and a Superior Rating.  The Winnetonka Jazz Band earned a Superior Rating as well.  In 2002, the jazz and symphonic bands earned a Superior Rating, taking home the Festival Honor Award, and best woodwinds & best percussion trophies.

In the Fall of 2004, Michael attended Central Missouri State University, where he was awarded the All-State and Music Foundation’s scholarships, and the A+ Award (for the completion of at least 50 hours of community service through tutoring and/or mentoring).  Michael will be attending school to become a Bachelor of Music Education and someday a band director.  While in college, he performed with the Marching Mules,  the top Jazz Band, the top Symphonic Band, Basketball pep band, Service Brass Quintet and trombone choir.  Bands of America selected Michael to be a part of the first ever 400-piece National Honor Band to march in the 2005 Tournament of Roses Parade in Pasadena, California on New Year’s Day.  It was one of the most rewarding, challenging and fun experiences he has had, and indeed, one of the highlights of his musical career and life.  Michael has had the privilege of marching in such parades as the Gracemor Community Day, Gladfest, Snake Saturday, and American Royal Parades and is thankful for the opportunity the Youth Symphony of Kansas City has given him to perform in such venues as the Folly Theatre, Yardley Hall, the historic Gem Theatre, St. James United Methodist Church MLK Jr. Celebration, Union Station, Gano Chapel at William Jewell College, Grant Recital Hall, The Liszt Academy in Budapest, Hungary, Universitat fur Musik und Darstellende Kunst Wien in Vienna, Austria, and in Prague, Czech Republic.  Michael has also performed with Winnetonka’s Jazz Band in the Federal Reserve Bank, at Tan-Tar-A Resort, the Gladstone Community Center, and the Gladstone Amphitheatre 

Michael has played with the NorthStar Community Band and Penn Valley Community College Jazz Band and the Elvis 2 Thunderbolt Band.

Of his non-musical accolades, Mike placed first at VFW Post 5606 in the Voice of Democracy Essay contest in 2004 (themed “My Commitment to America’s Future”), appeared on the Principal’s honor roll, was elected to represent his Senior class in the Winnetonka High School Student Council, and earned a Blue belt in karate.

Directors Pat Setser and Ron Fortune have provided the best instruction and leadership possible and he thanks them for their exemplary efforts.  “If not for Mr. Fortune, I may never have been able to record my audition tape for the Tournament of Roses Bands of America National Honor Band.  I thank him for his help.” Mike Murphy

He gives thanks also to the Youth Symphony’s Ingrid Stolzel and Mary Corneil for their great work.

Michael would especially like to take this opportunity to thank his parents, Tonya and Mike, for their unconditional loving support for him and his interests, and he also thanks you for reading his Bio.

About Me

"Ask not what your country can do for you; only regret, that you have but one life to live" - Chip Hazard