Volunteering For Vets by Robert

Volunteering For Vets by Robert - April 2022 Scholarship Essay

One of the most powerful experiences I had was during my volunteer work with veterans and their families at Riverside National Cemetery (RNC). While at RNC, I worked at the front desk to help direct families to find the resting place of their loved ones, answer any questions people may have, or explain the rules for placing flowers on the gravesites. I would also sit in the guard shack to help direct guests as they entered. It was a very memorable experience to be able to give back to the citizens that served our country. I recall sitting in the office, having fascinating conversations with our retired veterans and learning so much from their stories they'd shared.
On Veteran's Day 2018, I helped produce the Riverside National Cemetery's annual Veteran's Day Memorial event. It was a powerful experience to see a flag placed on every single gravestone, and to see the honor and participation of such high-ranking government officials and political leaders. I have a high respect for our veterans and enjoyed the opportunity to give back to them and make their community a better place. Volunteering at the national cemetery was a life-changing experience.
This was such a memorable time that it influenced me to start my own organization for helping veterans, called "Volunteering for Vets". Volunteering for Vets is my way of giving back to the local vets in our community. My brother and I have painted houses, cut trees, pulled weeds, and gardened. It is an extremely rewarding experience to help someone that has done so much for our country and may be at a point in their life where such chores are too difficult. Doing this yard work adds one more tidy yard to the neighborhood and creates a stronger bond in our community.