History today for a secure tomorrow

Hi neighbors. The Bushwhacker Museum and Vernon County Historical Society held another History Day event for all Vernon County fourth-graders Thursday.

If you had a child or grandchild who attended, I know you've heard all about it.

This annual event takes a lot of preparation and planning to run smoothly; but the children always leave happy. The purpose of the day is to inspire an interest in history and to give today's students a glimpse into the lifestyles of the children of yesterday.

The Vernon County schools participate each year as they consider History Day a learning experience, not just entertainment, although the students find all the stations very entertaining. the speakers and presenters are professionals in their fields and provide quality instruction for the students.

We should all be grateful for the foresight and energy they all share with Vernon County students.

Last week I saw a television documentary on the Kansas City Public Broadcasting Station about American schools and how they rank in the world.

It seems America spends less money on public schooling than almost every other country! What? That is a world-wide embarrassment -- at least it should be.

How can our children grow up to be productive citizens if they aren't taught all they need to know to earn a living?

It seems so obvious to me that if we want to compete with other countries we need to be able to offer something that many of them do not have -- competent, skilled workers.

With the need for inventors, business leaders, engineers and scientists growing each day, how can we hold our own future citizens back at the gate while other countries train their students for the race?

We need to wise up about methods concerning funding, regulating and revamping public education.

Some foreign countries guarantee students who excel in public school a free college education. Why can't we do that? If there are students of any age (high school or currently in college) who apply themselves and seriously want to get educated, shouldn't they be given financial help?

The future of America will be determined by how many of our citizens are well-educated. We have too many smart young men and women who are unable to get grants and who struggle to get through college on student loans and the pittance they can make working one or two part-time jobs.

No child left behind should apply to higher education as well as elementary and secondary schools. If they have the brains and determination, they should have the opportunity.

Tax funded public colleges? Why not? At least for the first two years so they can get a job that pays enough for them to continue their education on their own dime.

Other countries are leaving us behind. I can't stand the thought that America and its citizens of any age, could be looked upon with pity and disdain and considered a "used to be great" world leader.

Where's our pride? Where's our Yankee ingenuity? Where's our acceptance of a challenge?

Anyone who studies history realizes that America became the hope of the world by offering the concept that anyone with ambition and a good work ethic can make their life whatever they want it to be. Are we ready to give up that dream?

In my opinion the biggest change America needs right now is a nation-wide shout-out to take a good look back at where we came from, who we are and how we got here.

They say history repeats itself and those who don't know history are doomed to relive it. When we look at America's history we see struggles yes, but overall we see victory over all obstacles by determined citizens working together for a common goal -- a strong America.

When we look at the history of many other nations, particularly world leaders of their time, we often see great countries fall into ruin because their citizens stopped fighting the good fight.

We American citizens had the opportunity to have a good life handed to us by our ancestors. No one has given us the guarantee of a good life. Like every generation of Americans before us, we have to earn our right to live free and to pursue our own happiness.

If you want to know America's future, look around and see how many of your fellow citizens are getting worried, and whether or not they are doing something about those fears.

If you want to know how bad things could get, read a few history books. If you want to assure your children and grandchildren the same American dream you have lived -- make certain they develop an interest in history and in America's future.