2007 HONORABLE MENTION

STRONGER TOGETHER WITH PEACE
Zena Funderburk
15 years old, Alaska

Peace, to me, is a safe place where memories of poverty and suffering have been forgotten. It's not having to look over your shoulder and wonder whose behind you, It' part of a world with no hatred, loss, or jealously. Peace is a feeling that comes from within. The sort of feeling that warms the soul. It is when only happy tears exist. They are not salty, but sweet. I know this because I have tasted them without guilt. Peace is a universal saying that can be shown through actions, words, and/or gestures. It's a concept that has not yet been defined. It has been studied and picked apart by people ever since they realized that we take peace for granted. It cannot be fought into submission or tamed because peace is full of endless possibilities.

When I was 10 years old, I woke up in a new world that was full of hatred and hostility. Our country had been attacked, and we were ready to escalate the conflict and fog the eyes of the American nation to the real reasons behind our anger. There was no such word as peace after the decision had been made for revenge of our losses. It had vanished from the eyes of the young children of this generation and beat down the long lasting peace in the hearts of our veterans. It was that day that peace discontinued it's appearance in the hearts of the people around the world. We have been told we are fighting for peace, but how can we fight for something that is not definable? How can the men and women in our military systems set their life on the line for something that not even the president has an answer for?

The American nation and people across the world have made peace the conclusion to all pain, suffering, and loss. We have also decided that we must fight for peace, but doesn't war include everything we thought peace could put an end too? Peace is praying for your enemies, known or unknown, and truly wanting to forgive them for their wrongdoings. It is when we only see the bright side of people's imperfections and smile knowing they have good qualities, which can be used to change the world for the better. Albert Camus, a French Philosopher, once said, "Peace is the only battle worth waging". The people of the world need to take a step forward and begin to realize the endless possibilities of peace and understand the meaning of such an objective word, before we can begin to grow stronger together and reach out for peace with a hand of freedom.