Second place in the high school category for the Stars and Stripes essay contest is Jack Culpepper (designed by Stripes Staff | photo provided by Jack Culpepper)
Jack Culpepper is the second place high school winner in the Stars and Stripes America 250 youth essay contest. Jack is currently a senior at DoWEA’s Vicenza High School in USAG Italy.
The essay prompt was: “How has being part of a military (or military-affiliated) family shaped how you think about America?”
Second place essay by Jack Culpepper:
Growing up in a military family has shaped not only where I have lived, but also how I understand the meaning of
America itself. While many people experience the country through a more stable community, my childhood was
defined by constant movement, sacrifice, and exposure to people from every walk of life. Through my father’s
service and the lifestyle that came with it, I learned that America is more than symbols or ideals, but it is a living,
evolving nation built on resilience, diversity, and deep personal sacrifice.
As I was growing up, my dad would tell me stories of triumph and loss throughout his Army career. As I matured, I
no longer romanticized in my mind what it would be like fighting on the front lines. I realized that servicemembers
and veterans of the US have gone through unimaginable struggle in the defense of our nation; just about everyone
in this community can name a person dear to them whom they lost. However, my more realistic perspective on our
nation and its Armed Forces as a young adult has greatly increased my respect for those who served and their
families, and shifted my view of what America means.
I’ve developed a perspective of the US different from that of most citizens. When I say “America,” some picture
the symbols like the bald eagle or the flag, some picture the natural beauty of the National Parks, and some think
about the American dream. But a lot of people think of more personal things like their childhood home, playing with
the other kids in the neighborhood, or going fishing. Kids growing up in the military, however, have a totally different
experience in that many of us don’t have a childhood home or friends that follow us from elementary school
through graduation. I moved 11 times in my 18 years, so I said goodbye to countless friends and have memories of
a dozen houses rather than two or three.
This instilled an idea of how nothing is really permanent in my life. I was not tied to a specific location; I sought
connection elsewhere. Because military families go through similar experiences, it’s easy to find friendship in the
community. Sympathizing with these other truly American families made me realize that our nation is built on
interpersonal connections more than anything else.
The military is also so special because those in the community come from every background you can think of. It
provides an opportunity to learn from people with diverse cultures and perspectives, something that is much less
likely to happen growing up in just a single town. So, the military has changed my view of America by allowing me
to understand that we are not just products of our nation, but it is a product of us. Centuries of immigration and
interaction are what made America the way it is now, and the military highlights that.
Ultimately, being part of the military family has transformed my understanding of patriotism and belonging. People
often put a lot of emphasis on the geographical or political importance of the United States, but it is held together
and moves forward by the people who serve, the families who sacrifice beside them, and the communities that form
wherever they are stationed. The constant change I experienced did not weaken my connection to this country; it
strengthened it. It taught me that America’s true foundation is not permanence or comfort, but unity, diversity, and
the willingness to serve something greater than oneself.
Second place winner Jack Culpepper is a senior at Vicenza High School (provided by Jack Culpepper)
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