Happy Veteran's Day: The Pen and The Sword

Some say that "the pen is mightier than the sword". This is an old saying that states that the ability of thinking and writing have a much more profound influence on people than violence. Many times I do agree with this statement, and I hold by it as a teacher. However, perhaps in a different light one should consider the weight of the sword.

I might be stretching my argument here but, when our nation was founded, it did take the pen to unite the minds and hearts of a people who would then become Americans. What started as an idea became a movement and eventually into action. However, it definitely took more than a bunch of smart policy makers armed with pen and paper to defend the ideas they had. It required the sword to stand by those words of freedom and defend them against any who would take those ideas away.

Today we honor our veterans, soldiers who have fought and sacrificed for many rights and privileges that we might take for granted. For example, I recently participated in the mid-term elections, voicing my opinion on some hot topics of governance in Nevada, in particular about the proposed Margin Tax. Of course, the right to vote is the first thought we Americans probably think of when we consider everything our soldiers have fought for.

I've always wanted to serve our country, but I could never wield the sword. I can't fight on the front-lines like many of our bravest do. However, what I can do is serve at home, as a teacher, and help our youth learn to use the pen. It was what our veterans fought for - the freedom to have an education and a chance to use what many claim is stronger than the sword. Today, we remember that without the sword, the pen wouldn't have a fighting chance. Thank you to all our veterans and soldiers still fighting today.


If you would like to have an activity for your students to help support our troops, I suggest having them write a letter. Soldiers away from home deserve not just a bit of home, but also our gratitude. My class was studying Arthurian legends, and the topic of chivalry would always come up. When I asked them who in our modern day are chivalrous knights, many responded with soldiers. Take the time to find a local or national organization who will help you send your messages of love to our soldiers on the field. I recommend www.amillionthanks.org as a way to send your letters.