The We Are Not Your Soldiers program really touched me.

I attended high school in Chino, California and I remember the military recruiters preying on students. They seemed to be present even more as the year was coming to an end and the seniors were getting ready to graduate. Their targets were those students who had the lowest self esteem, minorities and those who were struggling at school academically. What is apparent to me now is that they were targeting the most vulnerable students who came from low income families.  They knew this group of students would have a harder time attending college because of economic reasons. Instead of encouraging students to attend college they were sending a message,  that these students have nothing better to do than to lose their lives to a never ending war.

What a shame that some high schools allow recruiters on campus instead of inviting engineers, professors, or doctors to come and motivate students.

I remember having a conversation with my friend,  he was upset that his parents were not supporting his decision in joining the military and expected him to continue his education. He told me ” I’m not worried, like they said, my 18th birthday is right around the corner and what my parents think won’t matter by then”.

To many low income families education is the way out of poverty, or at least a chance to get a decent job with
a stable salary.  In many Latino families, such as mine, some parents are struggling so much to make ends meet that they have no choice but to trust their children to make the right choices at school.

High school years can be a very confusing time for a student and the last thing they need are military recruiters brain washing them.

I truly believe that children are the future and with a little push in the right direction many could be great if given the chance. I wish you luck with the program and I hope you continue to inspire many more people the way you inspired me. I believe that this program is very valuable and that it will touch many hearts.

I will forward information about We Are Not Your Soldiers to my co-workers, friends and classmates. I hope it reaches the eyes of teachers who will be interested in having the program come to their school.