Shana and Friend
in Africa
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Mandatory National Service?
by Shana Ogren Lourey
If a tree falls in your country, and you hear it, is it your mandatory responsibility to clean it up?
What makes you an American? What makes you a good American? Do you rise somehow for your country of citizenship, through a type of fight or through some sort of compromise?
Well, you may have the chance, or I should say, the requirement, soon.
There is a bill called the Universal National Service Act. It has been introduced concerning a proposed mandatory national service in the United States during a time of war or national crisis. The idea is that citizens between the ages of 18-25 would be required to give national service to the United States, which could mean service in the military or working with an organization that meets "human, educational, environmental, or public safety needs.”
Feel free to read about it and keep informed by checking out the website: Gov Track Congressional Bills
The United Kingdom Parliament is set to soon debate a similar bill, named The National Service Bill.
As an ex-Peace Corps Volunteer, yes, I admit, I am a personal advocate of not just country service, but world service. I feel that I owe humanity the effort to engage vastly in its survival and constant re-blooming. There's always a fight to enlist in, even if it's a fight for peace; perhaps especially if it is a fight for peace.
Examples of forms of service practiced and what could be focused on in developing and maintaining one's country:
- Collecting and separating recycled goods
- Picking up litter
- Serving food at a homeless shelter
- Tutoring students
- Teaching ESL to immigrants trying to understand and pass the citizenship test
- Building structures with Habitat for Humanity
- Joining AmeriCorps
- Serving in the Peace Corps
- Help to repair our parks, roads, bridges
- Volunteer for Red Cross
- Act as a Mentor with the Big Brothers and Big Sisters of America
Some people feel a required service to our country is a violation of our individual freedoms. Others feel pride in serving and protecting the country, even if it is by requirement. What do you think?
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