Strength in A.L.S.

The A.L.S. Ice Bucket Challenge took the nation by storm over the summer. Millions of Americans dumped  a bucket of cold water over the head to support those affected by A.L.S. and over $115 million was raised for research. Many asked, how do those affected by A.L.S. respond to the challenge? 

In a recent article, Roni Rabyn describes her father's experience with A.L.S. Her father, David Roni, started walking with  a limp when she was in college. Her parents referred to the disease as a, "back problem" keeping her and her younger sister in the dark. At 19, her mother told her the truth: her father was dying from A.L.S. She watched her father's health deteriorated, but never his spirit. He stayed in good spirits and kept his humor until the end, even when he could barely talk. He swam laps at the pool to slow down the disease, but it came and took over his body. 

Rabyn also took time to describe the community's reaction. There were those who drifted away to give the family their space, something they did not want. However, there were the good ones who stayed with the family and through all their support behind them. When the A.L.S. Ice Bucket Challenge started, Rabyn did not appreciate it and felt people were being fake. However, when she saw patients getting into it and all the money raised, she realized how much awareness was raised and began to appreciate it more. 

Although A.L.S. is a horrific disease that took her father from her, Rabyn continued to see the greatness within the situation; she saw what made her father truly great and the people around her. The fact that her father kept good spirits and remained determined is something beautiful in the face of tragedy. Greatness lies within determination and strength through tragedy. Another great thing Rabyn recognized was the A.L.S. Ice Bucket Challenge. She first saw it as in-genuine but saw it in its true glory when those struck with the disease got a chance to participate. In her conclusion, Rabyn urges readers to take on a new challenge:continue raising awareness for this horrific disease; find a cure. 

True Friends in Texas

For a high school girl, being homecoming queen can mean everything. Recently, at Grand Prairie High School in Texas, Anahi Alvarez, a high school senior, gave her homecoming crown away to her best friend, Lillian Skinner. "Why?" do you ask. In a recent article, Alvarez describes how Skinner had been targeted in a prank the previous week. Certain girls had convinced Skinner she had been nominated for homecoming queen along with her best friends, Alvarez and Naomi Martinez. Both girls vowed that when they won, they were giving the crown to Skinner, who was hurt and embarassed. They even got their principal, Lorimer Arendse, in on the surprise. Arendse led Skinner to the field telling her she was just taking pictures of her friends. Then, as Skinner neared the stage, Alvarez motioned her on stage and gave her the crown. Skinner could not have been happier, and felt as if she was in a dream. 

What does this story teach us? Well, within this story, one can find what it  means to be great. Through a simple sacrifice, Alvarez and Martinez made their best friend's day.  Although a small sacrifice, it can compare to Eric Greiten's, an American war hero's, choice of sacrificing his education to defend his country. Alvarez's sacrifice teaches us all the how simple it is to make a difference in someone's day and achieve greatness.

Attacking ISIS

Wednesday night, President Obama addressed the nation on the ever growing threat of the Islamic State of Iraq and Greater Syria, or ISIS. Zeke Miller wrote an article in TIME Magazine discussing the president's national address. Obama asserts that the US will go on the offensive and continue airstrikes on the ISIS government. He did not give a time frame for the war, saying "it will take time to eradicate a cancer like ISIS." Obama clarified that ground troops will not be fighting in Syria, but will implement more airstrikes and help train Iraqi rebels.

Americans have been waiting for action to take place after several threats had been made on the country, including the beheading of two Americans. Some have referred to ISIS's actions in Syria and Iraq as a genocide, attacking and killing the innocent people in Iraq and Syria. Throughout its history, the United States has defended the innocent and the minorities in repressive countries. Obama now asserts that The United States will go to war with ISIS. 

American's actions on ISIS illustrates similar beliefs to Eric Greitens' The Warrior's Heart. Greitens urges his readers to take action and serve others. After helping relief efforts in Rwanda after the Rwandan genocide and other struggling countries, Greitens insisted action must be take to protect others. This is what President Obama and the United States must do with ISIS. America must not only defend its people, but the innocent people in Syria and Iraq as well.