JENNINGS: Graduates will find their paths

Opinion

Related Photos

Thom Jennings

Discussion

Add a comment on this story

July 8, 2010

Anonymous The Journal-Register The Journal-Register Thu Jul 08, 2010, 01:00 PM EDT

ALBION —

Over the next few weeks, there will be many high school graduation parties. In an era when some parts of the state still have graduation rates well below 50 percent, graduating from high school is still an accomplishment that should be celebrated. Graduating from high school is the beginning of a new phase in a young person’s life, and after high school, it is a time when an individual must make important decisions that will likely influence the rest of their life.

In my case, I made my share of boneheaded decisions in my youth. I certainly should have gone to college after high school rather than wait until I hit my mid-30s. I think that’s one reason why I was so insistent that my son Thomas go to college and lived campus. His making the dean’s list every semester at SUNY Brockport tells me that it was a good decision, and as a parent, I am blessed to share in his success.

Nonetheless, college is not the only path to happiness, nor is it for everybody. One of the alternatives is to enter the Armed Forces, like my nephew Josh Zeliff decided to do. Even though he is not my child, I have come to love and respect Josh and his family. (I have been blessed with not only a wonderful, supportive wife, but a fantastic set of in-laws as well.) When Tracy and I found out he was going into the Marines, we were both proud and concerned — after all, we are still a nation at war.

That concern still exists, but it is tempered by the realization that our country needs intelligent young men of high moral character to defend its freedoms. Without our Armed Forces, we would have no way to defend the liberties we cherish, like the freedoms of speech and the press which allow me to write this column every week.

This nation has so many celebrations to honor those who serve this country in war and in peace, and rightfully so. All of the military veterans were once young like Josh, and had to decide what path to take. They made the choice that they felt was the best. Those who entered the military bring honor to their families and to their community.

As is the case with many young people who enter the service, one of Josh’s most enduring traits is his humility. I almost think that being humble and selfless is a prerequisite for military service because so many veterans never ask for anything in return despite their sacrifice to the nation. I have no doubt that Josh will do very well in the Marine Corps, and yet he will never brag of his accomplishments.

As I wrote earlier, everyone has to choose the path that is right for him or her. For those young people who are going into the Armed Forces, I thank you in advance, for I know that our nation’s freedoms are being well protected.

Text Only

Opinion

There are bobcats in our area
In recent years, local residents have had the chance to witness some interesting animals within our borders. Among those that generated the most press and most talk were the black bears that frequented the area for a couple of months. The beasts elicited either fear or appreciation, depending on one’s perception of bruins. More often than not, the former emotion ruled the day.

January 12, 2012 1 Photo
Governor needs to stay on point
Last week in the governor’s State of the State address, Cuomo said he’s taking on a new job. He’s going to be an advocate for the kids. In fact, Cuomo went so far as to say that he’s going to be the only advocate that kids have.

January 12, 2012
CONFER: A warning about the WARN Act

Entrepreneurship has always had its basis in the understanding and handling of the unknown. No business owner has ever known exactly what his customers want, what the markets hold, or what his competitors are doing. But, they’ve always had a good idea about what might happen and, from the theoretical standpoint, what should happen.

September 27, 2011 1 Photo
VALLEY: I'm amused by the little things
Am I the only one amused by the fact that few (if any) people have ever seen a woman in a dress like the ones in the fashion section of a newspaper? I’m talking about the illustrated apparel — designed by people with one name — that’s supposed to be what people will be wearing in the next fashion cycle.

September 22, 2011 1 Photo
Recognize our hometown heroes

If you haven’t driven through Holley this summer, you’ve missed quite a sight. The light posts and electrical poles throughout the village are adorned with Hometown Heroes banners. Each one recognizes someone from the village who is actively serving in the military. The attractive banners are 72 inches tall and about half as wide and each one is adorned with a large photo of the serviceman/woman along with his or her name and branch.

September 20, 2011 1 Photo
VALLEY: Inactive seniors and over-reacting juniors
Have you seen the commercial on television where the young gal who is at the age where she knows everything there is to know about life and the world says something to the effect that a recent study had shown that older people tend to live less of a social life than they did in the past?

September 15, 2011 1 Photo
VALLEY: The other side of a tragedy

In late June of 2010, I wrote a column about my friend, Dave Cook. Back then, Dave and his wife, Carol (and daughter, Chelsea) had been through a Hell-ish scare when a liaison with the U.S. Marine Corps had left a message about their son, Sgt. Trevor T. Cook. Trevor was serving in Afghanistan at the time.

September 7, 2011 1 Photo
CONFER: The real story behind your power bill

As long as the Public Service Commission allows a pending rate change from National Grid — and there’s no reason they wouldn’t — the electric company’s customers will see significant savings come Jan. 1. The bill for the typical household/apartment will be nearly $9.50 lower per month, while homeowners with families (who use more power) drop by almost $16. That’s $114 and $192 in extra spending money per year. Not too shabby.

September 6, 2011 1 Photo
VALLEY: Don't take offense to this

I was making a delivery last week in my Napa pick-up truck when I noticed another truck several car lengths ahead of me. At first, I thought that it, too, was a work truck, because I could see a large sign across the tailgate.

August 31, 2011 1 Photo
CONFER: N.Y. should tax public pensions
New York residents are excluded from paying state taxes on the first $20,000 of their retirement income from private pensions. If they happen to be former government workers, though, things are quite different: Local, state, federal and military retirees don’t pay any state tax at all on their publicly-provided pensions, whether it’s $20,000 or $80,000.

August 19, 2011 1 Photo
More Opinion Headlines

Opinion

Search Results

Related Photos

Discussion

JENNINGS: Graduates will find their paths

Site Map

Contact Us