American Legion Leadership Essay
“The greatest leader is not necessarily the one who does the greatest things. He is the one that gets the people to do the greatest things.” Ronald Reagan’s words provide me with a vision and the motivation to serve others by equipping them with the tools needed to reach their full potential. I have always worked hard as a leader to inspire others. I understand that I must be bold enough to have my own vision but humble enough to recognize achieving it will take the efforts of many people. I believe that we must work to together to keep America strong and ensure freedom for future generations, and I believe this is done through great leaders. The American Legion Auxiliary Girls State provides young women like me a deeper understanding
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Both my grandfather and great-grandfather proudly served. Sam Patterson, my great-grandfather, is a WWII veteran who served in the Navy for many years. James Patterson, my grandfather, followed his father’s footsteps and served in the Army during the Vietnam War. Both are disabled vets whose commitments to serve our country and the rigor this service demanded on their physical, psychological, emotional and spiritual levels are what fueled my desire to serve my peers in various capacities. My other grandfather, Herbert Owenby, was a gifted athlete who participated in two varsity sports at the collegiate level. People tell me that I get my athleticism from him. I think he actually molded me into the person I am today. He once told me the most important thing I could do in life was not to excel in sports but to be the best person I could be and help others when they needed help. He never got to see me win a national title, a state title, or even participate in a high school sport. But I know nothing would make him prouder of me than being the best person I can be and helping those along the way. He was given the opportunity to attend Boys State in 1963; an opportunity that probably helped shape him into the man he became. All three grandfathers taught me to lead by example while being
Both my grandfather and great-grandfather proudly served. Sam Patterson, my great-grandfather, is a WWII veteran who served in the Navy for many years. James Patterson, my grandfather, followed his father’s footsteps and served in the Army during the Vietnam War. Both are disabled vets whose commitments to serve our country and the rigor this service demanded on their physical, psychological, emotional and spiritual levels are what fueled my desire to serve my peers in various capacities. My other grandfather, Herbert Owenby, was a gifted athlete who participated in two varsity sports at the collegiate level. People tell me that I get my athleticism from him. I think he actually molded me into the person I am today. He once told me the most important thing I could do in life was not to excel in sports but to be the best person I could be and help others when they needed help. He never got to see me win a national title, a state title, or even participate in a high school sport. But I know nothing would make him prouder of me than being the best person I can be and helping those along the way. He was given the opportunity to attend Boys State in 1963; an opportunity that probably helped shape him into the man he became. All three grandfathers taught me to lead by example while being