Memorial Post VFW 2140 recognizes Voices of Democracy

By Neil Schulman
Long Branch — Five Long Branch High School students who spoke about their vision for America were recognized by the Brighton Memorial Post VFW 2140.
On Monday, the top entries for the annual Voices of Democracy Contest were honored at Long Branch High School. Prizes for the five students ranged from $20 to $150.

l-r, Principal Vincent Muscillo, Avery and Annie Grant, Jailyn Dorsett, Francisco Rodriguez, first-place winner Peter Wersinger, T.J. Fosque, Yanice McMullen, and teachers Mrs. Gill and Ms. Esposito.

Each year, Long Branch students take part in this nationwide VFW event, writing and recording a short speech on a patriotic theme. This year the theme was “My Vision for America.”
The number of entries from Long Branch has been growing, but eventually judges selected the winner: Jailyn Dorsett (fifth place), Francisco Rodriguez (fourth), T.J. Fosque (third), Yanice McMullen (second), and Peter Wersinger (first place).

Wersinger moved on to the Monmouth County-wide competition, where he placed third.

Board of Education and VFW member Avery Grant, who co-chairs the contest with his wife Annie, said that the purpose of the contest is to get students thinking about the meaning and importance of democracy to our society. Because the VFW is made up of people who have fought for our nation overseas, its members want to encourage critical thinking in the nation they fought for.

“You’ll be graduating soon and registering to vote,” Grant noted. “We’re the most powerful and strongest fighting force in the world, but what’s more important is we’re the most moral.”
The students said they admire democracy and what the United States represents. But there are problems to deal with, such as racism.

“From the earliest beginnings, America has been an us vs. them,” Dorsett said.

Other speakers pointed out more problems the U.S. needs to address, including maternity leave and other health care issues, and the rising cost of education.

But they are optimistic about changes and America. They pointed out that America’s schools are open to all, and more than 20 nations in the world don’t allow women to be educated.
McMullen said that she thinks her generation, if it stays active, “can make America even greater than before,” improving the education system, creating jobs and using technology in new ways.

Wersinger said that the teachings of George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Abraham Lincoln, Franklin Roosevelt and Martin Luther King Jr. still apply to America.
“It is only in democratic America, land of opportunity, that everyone has a chance.”

Grant said that the U.S. was showing many signs of opportunity and equality when you look at the military.

“A young lady from Long Branch is now Secretary of the Air Force,” he said. The second in command of the Navy is a black woman, and the recently appointed Secretary of the Army is openly gay – signs of “freedom and opportunity,” he said.