Brian Setencich , as a guest, told to FHS graduating class.

About 50 years ago, two guys graduated from high school. They joined the army. World War II was in full force. The freedom of the world was at stake. A madman named Hitler was determined to conquer the world and exterminate those who were not blue-eyed and blonde.

These guys were “buddies” in high school, but they eventually became true friends.

They defended each other against the enemy and literally trusted each other with their lives. During battle, one of them was shot. The other man attempted to dodge a barrage of bullets and carry his friend to safety. He gave the effort his all, but he was not successful. He too was wounded. The two men laid there covered in each others blood while bullets screamed and bombs exploded around them.

Finally, the battle was over. The two men were carried off the field and taken to the infirmary. After they recovered, each received medals for their valor.

They were two soldiers who fought together. They fought together in the just war.

Half a century later, the two friends got together with their families. While playing with their grandchildren, they began to reminisce about the war.

The children were in awe of the two men’s courage. One boy wanted to see the old men’s medals.

One grandfather unbuttoned his shirt and showed the children a scar from a bullet hole in his chest. The other man pulled down his collar and showed them a piece of shrapnel in his neck.

Then one grandfather told the children that the most important part of life is to believe in something enough that you are willing to lose for it. The other man explained how God doesn’t want to see the medals. God is interested in the scars. God isn’t interested in the glory. God wants to see the faith and the effort.

Too often, people become so absorbed in making money and being a quote—success—unquote that they forget about why God put them here. They forget about believing in and fighting for a cause. World War II may be long over, but it’s not too late to fight in a just war.

There is still ignorance in the world. There is still hatred around us. There is disease and crime and too many people who just don’t believe in themselves. It is said that “the first and worst of all frauds is to cheat oneself. All sin is easy after that.” These people don’t have to worry about being shot by others because the enemy has outposts in their head. They resort to self-destructive behavior be it in the form of promiscuity or drugs or suicide or hurting others or just giving up. They never realize their full potential. They don’t love themselves, so they cannot love others. When they dream, they sleep.

You have to live your dreams.

Believe in your dreams. Believe in yourself. When you believe in yourself and are true, others will believe in you. Fight for what you believe in. Be determined to make a difference. Be somebody.

Theodore Roosevelt once asked, “Isn’t it better to take a chance at triumph, even if scarred by failure, then to take rank with those who neither enjoy much nor suffer much because they live in the gray twilight that knows not the satisfaction of victory or the pain of defeat?”

I think of the two soldiers who fought in the just war. They put away their medals, but how proudly they wear their scars.

They lost a battle, but they won the war.