This is my essay I wrote for my Language Arts class in 7th grade. We had three different topics that we could choose from, including one about a robot, issues in society, and one other which I forgot. To me, the issues with society was easiest because I could make it personal, I had to use my own opinion. When I first told my teacher that I wanted to write on the subject, she had serious doubts which is understandable because how many 7th grade students do you know that can write about a topic like this? It was not easy I must admit, but I do not regret writing it at all. I researched my topic and when I turned in my final essay, my teacher was surprised. She read it and then pulled me aside and told me that this was not the type of work she expected from a 7th grader. She said that my essay was high school material and that I did a very good job. As it turns out, I was the only student that got 100% on that assignment. So, I hope you get something out of this. I know I did and that my teacher did. Niether of us have military experiance. Yes, now that I think about it, there are some parts that I could have changed slightly but I think it is better to have the original essay avalible for people to read instead of a changed copy of the original. Anyways, all comments and feedback are much appreciated since I really want to know what others think of my writting ability and of this particular essay.

     Hope is not a course of action yet we dwell on it to see us through hard times. War is a time when hope may be all we have, where we strive to continue, despite our deteriorating conditions. The number of people that thoroughly understand this concept is of slim proportions compared to our nation. Personally, I feel that America's people need to better understand why all countries fight, what we all fight for, and how war mentally changes you for life.

     If you pay attention in history class, you will see that ever since man has existed, he has been fighting. First he fought with animals because of the survival instinct. Later he fought with himself and others because he was brought up by elders believing in different religions. When the evolved men clashed together, it was not in peace but in war. Each saw the other as a horrid person that should not live all because of religion. From this blossomed extremists, people whose religious beliefs are so strong, they won't stop at anything to try to force others to believe that their religion is the best one, that it is the only religion that could ever be correct. Americans fight for freedom and the freedom of others. We will assist the oppressed so they can have the freedom to choose their religion. All people fight because they think they are right. What seems right to one country may or may not seem right to another country. Modern day wars start by somebody holding a grudge, somebody takin revenge, somebody fighting for the opressed, or by religious extremists, because they think they are correct.

     Have you ever sat back after a long day and asked yourself why you do what you do? Most people find their answer to be passion. American soldiers choose to serve for their country, to represent the stars and stripes and the people of our nation, to fight for our freedom and the freedom of others. They are willing to sacrifice themselves for our country and its people because they love freedom with such a great passion, almost nothing can compare. In some other countries, people are forced to serve military time by their government or religious leaders. Typically in those countries, they fight to be in charge of their country and surrounding countries or to impose their religious beliefs upon others. Soldiers and their leaders have so much passion for the numerous reasons to fight that they will often make the Ultimate Sacrifice, whatever their cause, they are willing to die for it.

     There are many events that can change the way you look at things and the way you live your life. Events like these will give you memories for the rest of your life and no matter how hard you try, they will stay with you for the rest of your life.Warfare is a gruesome, shocking, and horrific thing that man has created to inflict major pain on each other, both mentally and physically. We have made it all the more dangerous by adding weapons, such as AK-47s, RPGs, Snipers, IEDs, SAMs and many more. After watching somebody die, you will hold onto that image forever. The sights, the sounds, and the pressure of getting all your men out alive. Having one of your platoon members shot off his feet while running for cover only a few feet ahead of you, you will start to question yourself. Why him? Why not me? The fact that a gun had been trained on him and fired and not at you even though you were close enough to feel the impact as bits of shrapnel hitting your flak vest as your partner goes down, will stick in your mind perpetually. The paint may ebb away slowly over time, but the truth of it all will never leave as evidenced by the astounding number of veterans with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. War does horrendous things to not just the soldiers, but anybody involved in warfare, anybody that has seen its monolithic destruction firsthand.

     War is a very devastating and extremely important part of our society. I can not stress enough how crucial this subject is in our society. I wish that our country's people could better understand why all countries fight, what we all fight for, and how war mentally changes you for life.