Nathan Paul Meeker

He has always taught me to look on the bright side of things, to hold my head up high, and always believe in myself. He has gotten me through hard times between relationships with my family and friends. He's my brother, my one and only soldier.

Nathan, also known as "Nate," is a Brandon High School senior. With honor roll grades, he maintains a job, keeps and hangs out with friends, and still lives his life as a kid. Nate will soon be leaving our little town of Ortonville to fight for a bigger cause. The reason? Terrorism. He will be heading to Georgia for base camp, and then most likely to Iraq.

Though he is aware of the risk of losing his life for this land we call "America, the Beautiful," he holds his confidence and says to himself every night, "I WILL be coming home in a couple months, I WILL see the family again, and I WILL live a great life after all of this is over."

Confidence is his strength, and his destiny is to make it through life. Though in the future he may not be the richest of many, or the smartest, he accepts himself for who he is. He's never cocky or conceited. He expresses himself in a kindly manner, and this, too, is one of his strong points.

"Fight for a cause," he kept repeating to me. I used to not understand what he meant, but as I grow older and overcome obstacles, I'm beginning to realize what he's saying over and over. Fight for what you believe in, listen to yourself, and make a difference.