American Veteran, The Power of One
Essay and Scholarship Project


As the sponsors of the American Veteran essay project Lynn and Reid Geddie are a mother and son from the Metro Atlanta area. After extensive research about her father's military role in WWII, Lynn's son, Reid wrote an essay about his grandfather for a class project at his middle school in Georgia . Both came away from the finished project with a greater appreciation and deeper understanding of the sacrifices made by all of our veterans. Reid gained a wealth of knowledge about the grandfather he never met which gave him a real and lasting connection to him. Further, the project increased his ability to be familiar with and learn to develop an essay. Special thanks to Social Studies teacher, Mrs. Pamela Ridge for supporting this project by allowing her original "Famous Footsteps- The Power of One" assignment to be expanded upon and shared with teens all over America.
Teens who want to enter a story in the project should write about a veteran that served from WWII or any period through the current conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan. The essay should be written about a veteran who exhibited the ability to be a role model and explore how that person has shown the "power of one" by making a difference in the lives of others. Essays should not exceed 1000 words. (See Essay Project Rules page for complete instructions.) The first 10 teachers (2009) that had their students / student send in an entry received an Office Depot gift card for class room supplies. In 2010 the first 10 teachers that have their students / student send in an entry will receive a free copy of the book America's Soldiers: Teens' Tales Of Tribute.
The 2011 top essay winner will receive the Lt. Norman J. Rogers, Jr. Memorial Scholarship summer camp experience, titled FLIGHT CAMP at the Museum of Aviation in Warner Robins, Georgia (See scholarship awards page) or winner can choose a $75.00 cash prize. (WWII B-24 pilot, Lt. Rogers' story can be found at the Top Essay Winners tab on this website.) The second place essay will receive a $50.00 cash prize. New prizes added (2009): Autographed copy of the CD 'SANDBOX' by Rebecca Henricks, see our Links Page for description and 3 Honorable Mention Awards of $10.00 from an anonymous donor. None of the entrant's contact information will be shared with any organization or entity except the museum which will be given the winner's information so that arrangements for camp can be made. This project is sponsored privately by their family in memory of their father and grandfather, a WWII China-Burma-India Hump pilot and American veteran. All teen authors who participate and submit an essay will be given a certificate of merit. As a community project (2009) the collection will be presented to the local library system and the school's Veteran's Day program held in November.




