2 students await stints in the Navy

YPRESS MEMBER LOGIN

PRINT THIS PAGE
EMAIL TO A FRIEND
RELATED STORIES
MOST COMMENTED
ARCHIVE
MOST EMAILED
RSS FEEDS

2 STUDENTS AWAIT STINTS IN THE NAVY

In face of terrorist attacks and war, patriotism takes on new meaning

December 9, 2001

With all that's going on in the world these days, patriotism means different things to different people. The word might conjure up images of the U.S. flag or the young people and adults who make up the armed forces fighting in Afghanistan.

That's where 17-year-olds Carrie Copeland and Ben Gaydos might be heading after they graduate next spring, as enlistees in the U.S. Navy. Y-Press recently spoke with them about their views of patriotism and how joining the Navy relates to that. Both are seniors at Carmel High School.

Carrie: The first time I ever even heard about the Navy, it was my freshman year. I never really thought that I'd be in it, but this summer, I was at home, and I got a call. (The Navy officer) asked me to come in and take a test. I took it, and I got in.

I set some goals that I was gonna try to be something. I thought, "I'm not going to sit in Carmel my whole life." I want to be in the medical field. (The Navy) offered me a really good job as a (hospital) corpsman.

Sometimes I get a little scared because it's a really big step. I mean, walking out of my parents' house and into the world by myself to be in the Navy. It's kind of scary, but it's a really big opportunity.

My parents were really happy at first, but within the last few weeks, they're not as happy 'cause they're really nervous that I'm gonna get sent somewhere. But . . . they're really excited for me because they know going in there, that if I make it, then I will be something no matter what.

My friends were not happy at all. I definitely had to defend myself because I was supposed to get an apartment in six months with them.

I think patriotism means showing you care, showing that you're a part of something really big, even if it's just something like making T-shirts for school.

I think our country has come together in the last couple of weeks. I think people come together more when we're at war. I don't think that's the way it should be. I think we should be together all the time, but some people just don't look at that as their Number One priority. Lately there have been flags everywhere, and people are nice to each other because we're all one.

(The terrorist attacks) make me more determined to find who did this and to punish them, but not their people. But it scares me at the same time, the thought of me going to war and never seeing anyone ever again. . . . I've never really thought about it before -- but I guess if I'm gonna die out on the field of duty, then I'm gonna die. At least it would be in a very respectful way. It's kind of sad to think about, but all of us are gonna die.

I don't want to fail either. I don't want to let anyone down. I mean, they're getting us prepared so that we can do good, but still, you haven't gone through it yet, and you don't know what it's like. It scares me to think that we could be going to war. I'm not for violence either. I don't like thinking of a bunch of innocent people dying. I don't think that's right.

I think that as a person from the United States, I'm supposed to do what I can for our country. Being a corpsman, I can take care of people. I can be a doctor, I can be a nurse, or whatever that ties into being what I want to be. Even though I'm just one person, I'm still doing a big thing for our country.

I think one of the best things is when you do something for someone else, and they are very thankful for what you've done for them. The fact of going in and being able to help other people is a really good opportunity -- it makes you feel part of something. It makes you feel like you're somebody.

However, the Navy is not for everybody. I see kids who could have been a lot more than they thought they could be, and they want to go to college but instead they enlist into the armed forces. And then they get sent away, and they go to war, and they do everything they can, and then they end up getting killed.

After my four years, I plan to be working somewhere, preferably in the mountains, at a hospital, doing my job -- doctor, nurse, going to school. I really want to go to school.

Ben: The first time I saw (the Navy recruiters) was at school. I was thinking of opportunities for after high school. . . . I checked it out last year, and when my senior year came around, I talked to them about it, and then I joined.

I chose it because you get to travel a lot, and for the career opportunities. I want to be a mechanic. I can work on airplanes. I want to try to explore the world, and if I reach a sizable carrier, it'll take me all over the world.

I am sort of lazy right now. I have to get out of that habit, and the Navy will help me. I want to try the Navy, make something good out of my life instead of working at a supermarket or something. I expect to become a lot better of a person than I am now.

My parents were thrilled when I gave them the idea of (enlisting). My friends, on the other hand, they didn't like it. They wanted me to stay and have fun with them, 'cause three days after I graduate I'm getting shipped off.

I really had to defend it because it's what I want to do; I want to help protect this country. Now they're OK with it. They understand.

I hope to have to track down the people who (attacked the United States). I want to support my country as necessary. You know, I love this country. I've lived here all my life; it's been good to me. I may not have participated the most, but I'll do my best to help out in any way I can, and in about eight months, I'll be able to help out just a little more to try to be a patriot.

I believe it's easier to be a patriot in times of peace. If you try to be a patriot in a time of war, or if there's something bad going on, others may not share your views. They might look down upon others or you. But if it's a time of peace, no matter what, everyone is patriotic in their own way.

The thing that I most fear is going to war, because I really do not like violence. I'm afraid of killing somebody or getting killed myself. Also, I don't want to destroy families and such. I don't want to destroy nations. I want to keep peace.

When I'm done with the four years of being an aviation mechanic in the Navy, I'm gonna try to get a mechanic's license. And then I'll try to go into college for two years, if I don't choose to extend my contract.

REPORTERS: Peter Cowden, 13; Zach Tuchman, 13.

Indiana teen is proud of dad's service in Iraq
	In the United States, the war in Iraq has generally increased patriotism and support for troops. For one Indiana youth, the patriotism has a more personal tone. Keith Fromme, 14, Ferdinand, last saw his father, Patrick, in February, when he left for Iraq to serve as a command sergeant major in the National Guard. "I'm proud that he is serving our country," Keith said in a recent video-conference c
Children search for ways to cope with separation when parents are deployed
	A 7-inch tall, red-white-and-blue-starred Beanie Baby may not seem precious, but for a little girl whose father is off fighting in Iraq, it was one of the few comforts available. She slept with the teddy bear, which her dad had given her, every night until he returned home.
Nations' feud hasn't killed hopes for peace
	Americans have watched as Pakistan prepared to support the United States in its campaign against terrorism. Pakistan's leader, Gen. Pervez Musharraf, has distanced his country from Afghanistan, angering his people and Afghanistan's Taliban government, which he previously supported. The larger conflict, however, exists with Pakistan's neighbor to the south and east, India. Although carved from the
Flying the Confederate flag is fanning the fires of a . . . Civil debate on symbolism
	How could one flag that bears the nation's colors be offensive to so many Americans? While some say it is a symbol of heritage, others say it is a symbol of bondage. The flying of the Confederate flag over the South Carolina Capitol in Columbia was a hot topic earlier this year. South Carolina raised the controversial flag in 1962, when its legislature voted to fly it to commemorate the centennial
After the Holocaust
	Ann's story is told in Howard Greenfeld's book, After the Holocaust, a historical work set in the 1930's and 1940's. It is a moving historical collection of maps, photographs and stories of real people who went through horrible situations.
Military school students seize opportunities
	Have you ever stood at attention when a teacher entered the room or had an upperclassman order you to do sit-ups? And aside from the occasional drug sweep, you've probably never had anyone inspect your personal belongings. These actions are common at Howe (Ind.) Military School, a co-ed boarding school for Grades 5 through 12, where regular civilian clothing is not worn and the band members aren't
Young lives are shaped by a centuries-old battle
	"The recent bombing in a Detroit bar has an estimated death toll of nine. ... The rebels in Wisconsin have reportedly claimed responsibility." Imagine Wisconsin and Michigan at war over the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. Every day you would hear reports of the religious and political war being waged between two neighboring states. For kids in Northern Ireland, this is their daily reality.
Students glad that they joined JROTC
	Students in the Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps look like most Army cadets: strict, disciplined and highly trained. Their uniforms are wrinkle-free, and they stand up straight. Y-Press recently interviewed four cadets in the Army JROTC program at Tech High School. They turned out to be normal teens, very nice and funny. Seniors Stephanie McDowell and Ian Gore and Juniors Kelly Morgan and Dav
Belfast teens provide a glimpse of life in their troubled country
	Life as a kid in Northern Ireland differs in many ways from a kid's life in the United States. For one thing, in Northern Ireland, hearing an occasional bomb blast isn't unusual. From 1969 to 1993, 3,824 people have died in the conflict in Northern Ireland. However, a cease-fire was called last fall as peace talks between the Irish and British factions got under way.