OUR YOUTH:
HONORING AND PRESERVING THE LEGACY
OF THE WORLD WAR II GENERATION
Anna Tinseth
Testimony: I joined the Oregon Spirit of ’45 early last summer. I saw participation in this organization as a way of representing my grandfather and practicing the values he set for our family. A retired Army LTCol and a member of the Greatest Generation, he showed us what it looks like to be an American patriot. His example of servitude, community involvement, strong work ethic, and encouraging spirit has inspired me to seek out challenges in school, sports, and activities in my community. Although he passed when I was still in elementary school, I accredit to him the forming of the fierce patriotism I bear today.
In coming to Washington, DC, I thought that I would be representing only my grandfather in the Memorial Day Parade. However, after almost a year with the Spirit of ’45 (www.orspiritof45.org), I have met and talked with so many other veterans, war brides, and Americans from the home front that my one grandfather has turned into many other grandfathers and grandmothers. For this reason, I have come to the nation’s capital to honor and represent each member from the Greatest Generation from my home state so as to express my inspiration.
I practice living out the Greatest Generation’s values in school where I seek the most rigorous courses and strive for the best grades possible. I continue this inspiration in athletics, where I aim for a diverse and challenging set of sports. Looking toward the future, I aspire to serve in the Marine Corps before working counterterrorism in the FBI or doing research for the World Health Organization. It is my hope that through my actions and life testimony, I may speak volumes of the Greatest Generation and of their influence on today’s youth.
Victoria Jacoby
Testimony: My interest and later participation in the Spirit of ‘45 spurred from my love of history, and the lessons it carries. Two of my great-grandfathers served in WWII, one in the Army, and the other, Navy. I was still in my early youth while they were still with us, but although my young mind couldn’t yet grasp the importance of their dedication, I knew they were both incredibly hardworking men. My mother was very close with her grandparents, and I recognize their influence in my own upbringing. She learned from them the power of accountability, self-responsibility, a do-it-yourself attitude, and perseverance. But above all, she learned to put others before herself. And I believe the greatest memorial to them both was passing on the principles of their generation onto the next. The Spirit of ’45 Youth Team provides an outstanding opportunity to not only say thank you to the men and women who sacrificed so much for our country, but to listen to their lessons, and exercise their teachings in our own lives.
In my future, I plan to pursue a career in law and serve in the JAG Corps. I play French horn in the state champion West Salem Wind Ensemble and Symphony. I play shortstop for my school’s JV softball team, and an Airman First-Class in Civil Air Patrol, an official auxiliary to the Air Force. I am also a member of National Honor Society and French Honor Society.
As a member of the Youth Team, I hope to honor the men and women of the WWII generation and encourage other generations to “Remember and Be Inspired.” www.OrSpiritof45.org
Landen Van Dyck
Landen is a member of the Oregon Spirit of’ 45 “Remember and Be Inspired’ youth team and spoke in six cities across Oregon during the WWII 70th Anniversary Spirit of ’45 Commemorative week, 2015. Sponsored by the Oregon Spirit of ’45, he was part of the team that introduced the statewide concert tour and spoke of behalf of our youth on the importance of the values of the WWII generation. With appreciation of the ‘Greatest Generation,’ his college plans include participation in the NROTC program and becoming a U.S. Navy Pilot.
Testimony: My life goal is to follow in the footsteps of my both my grandfathers and serve in the U.S. military. Through scouts, I learned the values of citizenship, community service, life skills and leadership. I plan on getting a bachelor’s degree in aeronautical or mechanical engineering through the Navy ROTC program and plan to be a Navy fighter pilot. I believe that there is no greater honor then giving back to your country, and wish to do so in my life.
I have a deep appreciation and respect for all members of the World War II generation because of my grandfather, a Lt. Col. in the Army who served in WWII and Korea. He modeled values of honor, respect and patriotism that I subscribe to today. It was his influence that prompted me to joined the Oregon Spirit of’ 45 ‘Remember and Be Inspired’ youth team and be one of its first members.
I am proud to carry on the values on of duty and service of the Greatest Generation to future generations and express the never-ending appreciation and gratitude we owe the men and women of the ‘Greatest Generation.’
Grace Warde
She has participated in club swimming for six years and high school swimming for four years. Throughout high school, she has gone on various missions trips to Eastern Oregon and has volunteered at her church, pool, and school.
She has recently been accepted to University of Richmond and plans to attend there this coming fall. She is new to the Oregon Spirit of ’45 ‘Remember and Be Inspired’ Youth team and will represent us in Richmond VA as we continue to work with other states, national officials and build Oregon’s ‘Wall of Honor, Faces of Heroes’ to engage our youth – ‘Remember and Be Inspired.’ www.OrSpiritof45.org.
Grace has also been accepted into the pre-freshman research and internship program called URISE this coming summer where she will work alongside fourteen other students and various faculty in cutting-edge research and technology. Currently she is working on staffing and scheduling sixteen employees for this coming summer.