What Will Your Legacy Be?

What Will Your Legacy Be?

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In the 1920’s Al Capone was the boss of the mafia in Chicago. Through terror, force and bribes, he ran the city of Chicago. To keep him out of trouble, Capone hired the best lawyer that money could buy. Whenever he and his crew got into trouble, he called their lawyer, “Easy Eddie.” Nothing ever stuck to Capone. Then, one day, Easy Eddie began to openly wonder about the type of example he was setting for his young son. Would his son ever be proud of him? What was he teaching him about right and wrong? What kind of name was he leaving for his son? What would his legacy ultimately be?

After contemplating such important life issues, Easy Eddie decided to cooperate with the government to get Al Capone and other members of the mafia behind bars. He actually testified against Capone in open court. Because of his efforts, Al Capone went to prison on tax evasion in 1932. Easy Eddie knew that his life would soon end. Nobody squeals on the mob and gets away with it. Still, Eddie was willing to sacrifice his life for the legacy that he would leave behind for his son. Sure enough, within a year, Eddie was gunned down and killed.

Fast forward 10 years to 1942. America was in the depths of World War II. A young pilot by the name of Butch O’Hare was a fighter pilot fighting in the Pacific region of the war. He took off with his squadron, but quickly realized that the ground crew didn’t put enough fuel into his tank for the mission. He was ordered back to base. Flying alone, he saw 9 Japanese planes approaching the U.S.S. Lexington, an Air Craft Carrier carrying over 2,000 men. Butch knew that he was the only person who could save the U.S.S. Lexington and those men.

Butch attacked all 9 planes. He shot down two, but ran out of bullets. He then began ramming his plane into their planes, knocking off the wings of three more planes. The other four Japanese planes flew away, probably believing this U.S. pilot must be absolutely crazy. By taking down 5 planes, Butch O’Hare was the Navy’s first Flying Ace of World War II. For his bravery and his willingness to sacrifice his life for his fellow soldiers, he was also awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor. In a subsequent battle in 1943, Butch O’Hare’s plane was shot down and he died.

For those who cannot guess, Butch O’Hare is the son of Easy Eddie O’Hare. It appears that Easy Eddie did his job. He taught his son about courage, bravery and sacrifice. As for his legacy, the world’s busiest airport in Chigago is appropriately named O’Hare Airport, after Butch O’Hare.

Joe’s Perspective:  What a beautiful story that illustrates the important of character and legacy. When you become a parent, you will begin to ask yourself what you are teaching your children. What kind of example are you providing? What lessons are you passing on? Are you leaving behind a good name for your children to be proud of?

Your Turn: I suppose that as a teenager, you are not worried about such things. I certainly wasn’t. However, I want to ask anyway. What do you want your legacy to be?

 

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  1. I want my legacy to be a good one. I want to be known for my heart and kindness. I want my legacy to be about what I did for others. Not what I did for myself. I want for everyone to know me as someone who was selfless

    1. I want my legacy to be someone who people go to if they need help with something or if they just want someone to talk to. I want people to remember me as someone who cared for others more than myself. I want to be known as someone who helped others no matter who they are or where they are from.

    2. I want my legacy to be that I made a good impact. I want my future family to know that I did good and that I dod all I could do.

    3. I want my legacy to be that I always strived to be better than I was yesterday- by giving my 110% everyday. I want to be known as a happy person in my life.

    4. I want my legacy to be someone that accepts everyone and did their best to include everyone. I also want to be known and smart and athletic.

  2. I want my legacy to be someone who will always go the extra mile for my family and will always love people I care about and will always have my friends and families backs.

  3. I want to be known as someone that people can always go to and I want to make an impact on my friends and family to be known as a positive and nice person. I want to be known as someone that can brighten your day and can make you smile when you need it. I want to be the good friend/family and help the world be more positive.

    1. I want my legacy to show how passionate I was for the game of volleyball. I want to be known for giving the extra effort and always having a positive attitude. Lastly, I want people to remember me as someone who cared about others more than myself.

  4. I want my legacy to be that I was Strong. Smart. Independent. Helpful. Respectful. But most of all kind. I always want to be kind. Not matter what kind of situation I’m in.

  5. I want my legacy to be a life of genuine kindness. I want to pass on the message that everyone should be treated with respect and kindness no matter who they are. People deserve to be treated like a friend, unless proven they aren’t.

  6. My legacy will be to show that being different is ok. We are not born to be a copy of someone else. Try and stand out. Be a leader and not a follower.

    1. I want to be known for my intelligence and proficiency in certain areas. I want to make a difference with that knowledge and somehow make the world a better place.

  7. I want to leave a positive and inspiring legacy. I want people to think of me as someone who believed in doing the right thing.

  8. I want my legacy to have great things about me and show my kids later on that they have to work and be brave for what they want and not have it handed to them

  9. i want to be known as the person who was always there, who you could count on and trust with everything. i want to be the reason people are happy!

  10. I want to leave a legacy that will make a mark on this world. I don’t want to be someone chasing after money, but someone sharing love and doing what is right. I want to help people!

  11. I want my legacy to be that I was kind, cared about others, a leader, and someone who try’s everything as hard as they can. I also want to be known as someone who doesn’t give up on anything or someone no matter the difficulty.

  12. My legacy will be positivity. Throughout everything I try my hardest to stay positive and help other people be positive too. I want people to know there is someone there for them always. I want to be the glimpse of hope in someone’s life. I want people to know life is supposed to be happy and I’m here to make that change

  13. When I leave the room I want people to remember me by that one person that was also happy and encouraging and whatever was going on with me personally I was still happy. I want to be viewed as someone who can appreciate the good even if it is small rather than bad no matter how bad it actually is. The good always out weighs the bad.

  14. I want my legacy to be that I was the person that people look up to. I want to be a leader. Someone that anyone feels they can come to and know they can trust me and that I will do all I can to help that person through anything their going through. I want people to know that I am proud of who I am and the people who didn’t like me or talked bad about me would know that they are building my character and making me stronger day by day.

  15. I want my legacy to be something that is positive. I also want people to remember that I was a positive person as well as someone who helps others. In addition, I want my legacy to be something that makes people happy.

  16. I want people to feel welcomed and appreciated when they’re around me. I’d like for people to think of me as one of the many people that have an impact on them even if it’s small. I want people to know me for my kindness.

  17. For those that die for our country, they aren’t thinking about themselves when fighting for us at home or at school, they are thinking about how to help us and our families live a longer and better life. These are the people are the ones that are known as brave and selfless, they are the ones who leave their lives with a story that we all wish we could leave.

  18. I want my legacy to be that I was a kind person who was loved by many. I want others to think of me and think of how kind and caring I was for others. I also want my kids to be able to look back and be proud to be my kid.

  19. I want people to remember me for being the fun, energetic, nice person that people enjoy being around. I want to be easy to talk to and have people come up to me and have a conversation.

  20. I want people to remember me as a kind person. I want to make a impact on people in a positive way. I was them to remember me and remember the joy, I tried to spread.

  21. I want my legacy to be something that all my peers and family will never forget me for doing, or for being towards them. Specifically I want to be remembered as the guy that tried to lighten the mood for those who are down, or perhaps be the one that people can go to for help or to y’all to about an issue.

  22. I want my legacy to be one that I can be proud of. I want my children to look up to me and want to be like me. I want to be a good influence and be someone who is kind and caring.

  23. As a high school student the legacy I want to leave is being known as a positive person who works hard for what they want. I would want people to known my name but only for positive reasons and the good things I’ve done.

  24. I want people to remember me for being able to make people smile and being someone people know they can trust and come to about anything.

  25. I want to leave a legacy of perseverance, hard work, and a person who does for others inspires…I feel if I leave this type of legacy behind it will be something my kids would be proud of and won’t be forgotten it’s something that will pass from them to their kids and it will start a chain of success and understanding on the world and how you should live your life.

  26. I want to be remembered as someone who lived there life. Who helped others out. This is important to me because It matters to me if people are happy or not.

  27. my legacy would probably be standing up for others and helping others before you help yourself. This is important to me because I always want to make people happy and bring joy to them. Doing this would help me become a better person and make the person I’m helping the happiness they ever been.

  28. I always felt like I was meant to do more, and touch peoples lives I have all these dreams that I want to accomplish I´m just scared to start. I want my legacy to be left as a person who was able to do it all.

  29. I want to be remembered as the girl who was a good example of a true Christian and people could see that through my actions and words. Also I want to set an example to be kind to everyone even if they weren’t in return.

  30. I want to leave a legacy of kindness and acceptance. I believe everyone should be treated equally and with love no matter who they are or where they came from. I hope through my leadership and the positions I’ve held that I can be a model for the people around me, and maybe eventually my family. I want people to always know they have a friend.

  31. I want to leave the legacy of making others happy. You never know what someone’s going through and I want to be that person that could give others happiness.

  32. I want to leave the legacy of making others happy. You never know what someone’s going through and I want to be that person that could give others happiness.

  33. I want to leave a legacy or remembered as the one who never give up no matter what. I want to impact other to keep pushing there self to be the best they can be, and work hard to compete at each next level for them.

  34. I want mine to be something that my kids and grandkids are proud of. Where they will see me with admiration of my kindness, and not with fear.

  35. I want to be remembered positively; someone who people can look up to and model themselves after. I want to leave a positive and empowering impact on those around me.

  36. I want to be remembered as someone who was kind and took time out of their day to help another. I hope I can become someone who my children are proud of.

  37. I want people to remember me as fun, helpful, and loving. I don’t want people to Remember me as the one kid who was mean or doesn’t help.

  38. i want my legacy to be a smart, loving, hardworking kid. I want them to be the kid that everyone loves and is friends with.

  39. I want my legacy to be relentless. No matter how many mistakes I make or how many times I fail, I will always keep trying to get it right.

  40. I want to be a person who is hard working and stands up for what they believe. I want to be known as someone who doesn’t stop until they reach their goal and beyond.

  41. I want my legacy to be one that encourages people to be better versions of themselves. I want to be remembered as a caring person but also as a strong individual who worked for my goals.

  42. For my legacy, I want people to remember me for what I am not how other see me but how I was. I want people to remember my determination and willingness to go the extra mile.

  43. I want to be that who everyone remembers as being a nice guy to them, that doesn’t even matter if I was nice to them but if they even heard that I was a nice that will stick to my name. So, I want my legacy as being a nice guy to everybody and to their friends, family’s, and loved ones.

  44. I want to have a positive legacy. I want to be known for making people happy and always being there to help. I want to make a difference in people’s lives.

  45. For my legacy I want people to remember me for my kindness and selflessness. I want people to look back and believe that I was a good person who cared about people in need and who would do anything for my family and friends. I want to be known as giver not a taker.

  46. I want my legacy to be one that is remembered in a positive way. I don’t care if it’s remembered by only a few people or a lot of people. As long as someone benefits from it.

  47. I want my legacy to be that I was always there for someone when they needed something or there to pick people up when there down. I want to be someone that people look up to.

  48. I want my legacy to be the kind that is remembered with kindness and puts a smile on someone’s face. I want it to hopefully remind someone of the values they believe in and get them to take a second look at their life.

  49. I want my legacy to be remembered as someone who inspired others to reach greatness. I want to be remembered not as famous but as a hero to someone when they are down. I want to be known as the person who gives someone unknown the courage to become known.

  50. I want to be seen and someone trustworthy that you can come to with all types of problems. Not having to worry about who you are or what your issue is.

  51. I want my legacy to remembered as a person who gave his heart out on everything he did. How hard I worked for my dreams, my goals and doing anything for my family. Also my faith, you can do anything when you have God by your side. That’s what I want to be remembered as.

  52. This really makes me think about how influential people can really be. Without his father showing him right from wrong, his life would be completely different.

  53. I want my legacy to be known to be good. I want to known to be good and that I tried hard to help not only myself but also others around me.

  54. I want my legacy to inspire others to be better and do good. When people think about it they should want to work hard like me.

  55. I want my legacy to be that I made a difference in someone’s life even if it was something so tiny but I want to be the one who made a difference and hope others follow in that path as well

  56. I want my legacy to be good. I want to be remember as the girl who always worked really hard in everything, who did stuff without being asked, and how hard i worked to achieve my goals.

  57. I dont know what type of legacy I will leave behind but im hoping that i will be a positive role model for my kids or whoever looks up to me later in life.

  58. I want my legacy to be a good one. I want to be known for never giving up and always giving 100% in the classroom and in sports.

  59. I want to be remembered as a selfless, brave, kind, and determined person who always gave 120% in everything that she did. I want to remembered as someone whose positivity was contagious, never gave up, and always but others before herself. My main goal in life is to make the world a better place through small acts of kindness and good deeds.

  60. I want people to see me as someone who never gave up and always encouraged others to do their absolute best. I hope to have someone look at me when I’m older and say wow she was really able to do that, And hopefully inspire them to do their best and never give up.

  61. Kind of legacy I want to leave behind: I would have wanted to be remembered as a positive role model who was kind and influential towards others. Also known for being sportsman like and respectful.

  62. I want to leave behind a positive legacy for my family to see. I want to be remembered as the person who would run through a wall for someone, someone who showed random acts of kindness to people just because. That is how I want to be remembered, A loyal and kind girl.

  63. I want my legacy to be known as something people will remember. I want to bring joy when someone remembers my name or remember what I accomplished. I also want it to be a reminder to anyone that things can really happen if you put your heart and soul into it and work hard.

  64. I want my legacy to be one that I’m proud of. I want people to remember me as someone who was kind to everyone and had a good heart.

  65. I want to leave a legacy of compassion and hard work. I want to help people the most I can. I want to go on mission trips to help, or raise money for sick kids who wouldn’t be able to get treatment. I want to help kids get educations. I will build schools to help. I want to be known as the person who goes out of limits for others. I know it will take time to get there, but I hope it will happen.

  66. I want my legacy to be that I always put 100% effort into everything I do. I want people to remember me as having pride in my work

  67. I want my legacy to be a positive one of understanding and kindness. If I leave a legacy of understanding then I would hope people would be quicker to accept people for who they are instead of who they aren’t. Sometimes I think people fail to consider what is going on in someones life that is causing them to act the way they are. Thinking in this way helps give me patience and I think it would give others patience too. Being kind is not always easy but it is very necessary. Personally being kind is something I value greatly. Part of the reason I feel this way is because of all the people that battle mental illness. It is not a happy thought but I know I do not want to be the reason or person who pushes someone “over the edge”. As a result of this I treat everyone with kindness so they don’t feel unlovable.

  68. I would like to be remembered and leave a legacy as a good teammate and leader, someone that people look up to. i want people to remember me for the way i play, the hustle, determination, all the little things.

  69. Who would have thought that someone could be so bold and brave to remember what their father told them at a young age. His son continued a brave legacy throughout his life. That is a very heroic act.

  70. i want my legacy to be fearless. i want to be remembered as the girl who wasn’t afraid to sacrifice herself for the team needs. the team comes first so you have to do what it takes to make sure there being successful and getting better.

  71. I want my legacy to be kindness and comoassion. I also want it to be standing for people who feel they can’t. Lastly, I want my legacy to be educational, I want it to teach people and have them learn something from it.

  72. I want to leave not only a good legacy behind for my life, but also for specific parts of my life. For example, I want to leave a legacy behind for each team I play on.

  73. I want to leave a good legacy for myself and set a good example for the people around me whether it’s my friends or family. I don’t think I would be brave enough to ram into other planes, but I was to be a good person.

  74. I want my legacy to be someone whos always trusted and loyal. I want people to hear my name and think of all my accomplishments.

  75. I want my legacy to be known as someone who is always there for people when they need someone to lean on. By doing this to other people, hopefully they can reciprocate and when I need help, I can go to those people as well. I also want to be known as a person who is compassionate and is a hard worker. By doing these things, it will be easy to get a job in the competitive work force and I will be able to say to people that I can help them is any way, shape, or form. Finally, by being compassionate, people can ask me for help, and they can know that I will always be there form them.

  76. I want my legacy to be that I was a hard worker, who cared about others, and helped others. I want to be remembered as someone who put 110% effort into everything that I did. I want to be remembered as someone who was always there for anyone. Finally, I want to be remembered as someone who was always positive and outgoing.

  77. I want my legacy to make people want to be better people. If people strive to change for the better because of it, even a little, that would be amazing

  78. I want my legacy to be a strong one where I am remembered for preaching fairness, equality, and awareness of peoples effects on each other and the environment.

  79. I want my legacy to be always going the extra mile in helping someone out. I always tend to be extra when giving whether it’s my friends or not.

  80. I think this story shows how what you do can have a great effect on other. Butch easily could have gone back and not taken on the Japanese planes, but then he risked the lives of his friends and fellow pilots. His choice to risk his own life shows his grit and dedication.

  81. I want my legacy to be that I am always nice to other people and that I will always go out of my way to make others happy or check in with them to make sure that they are ok. I want to be known for being a positive person who spreads happiness wherever she goes.

  82. I want people to remember me for the things I did for others but also for what I did for myself. I’ve worked really hard to get where I am and I think my family should know that.

  83. I want people to remember me by my leadership and my desire for what’s best for other people. Also I want to leave behind a legacy of hard work and positivity in all that I do.

  84. I want my kids and family to have positive memories when they think about my legacy. I want them to be able to look at my legacy and try to model their life after mine. I want them to know how to live a good life, and give them the best possible opportunity to do so.

  85. I want my legacy to be one if accountability and honesty. That I could always be humble enough to admit when I was wrong and speak up against something I dont neccesarily agree on.

  86. I want my legacy to be very good and I want to be known for being a nice person and a competitive athlete. Also I want to be known for being respectful to everyone.

  87. I would love to leave the legacy of a caring father or loving person for my kids to follow one day, because to get somewhere by yourself is less meaningful then getting somewhere with people that are close to you

  88. Leaving a legacy for my kids and their kids would be important to me because it is showing the importance of the ones who came before them

  89. I would want my legacy to be groundbreaking in the science fields. I want to discover something that hasn’t even been thought of before.

  90. I want to my legacy to be about my leadership in life and my ability to bring the best out in the people around me. I want people to remember me as someone who was fun to be around and passionate about everything I did

  91. I want my legacy to show how I made differences in the world and people’s lives. I want to leave my job and this earth to be a product of how I benefited others to make their lives much better.

  92. I want my legacy to be about my leadership, grit, and passion in everything that I do. I also want people to remember me for my positivity and willingness to be caring and happy to everyone I come across in life.

  93. I’d like my legacy to be my example of actions that may be uncommon but true to my person and life, and beneficial to those around me.

  94. I want my legacy to be about my willingness to do anything for others, leadership, working hard in everything that I do, doing the right thing all the time, and being a good person that leaves a positive impact in every community or life that I am apart of. I also want to be remembered as the person who always is looking out for other people and helping make someone else’s life less stressful whenever the opportunity presents itself.

  95. I want my legacy to be great but more importantly, positive. I want people to have positive memories of me and that is why I try to be nice to everyone.

  96. Easy Eddie is who I want to grow up to be, caring so much about your child and being willing to lay down your life to assure a better future for him.

  97. I want my legacy to be one that makes it so people remember me as someone who was there to help them when they need it, and that would always be there to put a smile on their face no matter what was going on. I want to leave a positive, happy legacy!

  98. I want my legacy to be very positive. When I die I want people to think of me being that one person that is willing to listen to anyone I meet. I want people to think that I am a very kind-hearted person and I would do anything in my power to make people feel good.

  99. I want my legacy to be something that helps others. I want it to be something that other people could benefit off of. I would want to leave something to make other people happy.

  100. I want my legacy at my high school to be someone who was kind to everyone. I don’t want people to react surprised when I say hi to them, I want them to know me as a nice person.

  101. I want to have a good legacy. I want others to see a picture of me and think she was an amazing person. She was kind, caring, honest, and brave. These are just a few of the characteristics I hope to have and hope that others look up to me for.

  102. I want my legacy to be that I wasn’t afraid to be who I am. I want to never change myself for others. I also want to be known for how I stood firmly with my morals.

  103. I want my legacy to leave a positive impact on the team. I want people to remember me for my personality. I also want people to remember how to never give up and just keep fighting.

  104. I want my legacy to be that I was great and brave not afraid to put myself out there to help others. I want to also be positive the girl that never got down on herself when times got tough

  105. I want my legacy to be something my family can be proud of. When I pass I want people to think of me as the person who would always help others. Someone who was very kind-hearted and nice to everyone she meet.

  106. I want to leave a good legacy on this earth. I want to be known as someone who thought of others before themselves. I want to be known as someone special.

  107. I want my legacy to be that even if you do like others at least respect them because I have people on my team. That I can’t stand but I respect them and then they leave me alone so mine is respect

  108. I want my legacy to be someone who was a strong leader, but also kind and compassionate, that was unafraid to take risks and push people to be a better version of themselves.

  109. I want my legacy to be someone that people want to be like. I want people to look up to me. I want to be able to help those in need.

  110. I want my legacy to be a good one. I don’t want to be famous but I want to be known as a nice person that works his hardest at everything he does

  111. I would like my legacy to be a positive one and one that affects others for sure! I would lien to think that my teammates think I am positive and I would like to leave a legacy of positive attitudes!

  112. I want to be remembered by my family and friends for doing something they can be proud of. I want to join the military and serve my country, something that runs in my family. I want to make my dad proud of me.

  113. I want to be remembered by a person who was always happy and kind. I think it is really important to be positive even when things get rough.

  114. I want my legacy to be a life time of hard work in order to achieve goals. I want to be known as never giving up and striving for progress not perfection. I want people to look at me and know that no matter what challenges you face, you go for your dream and do your thing.

  115. i want my legacy to be that i was a good person and athlete who inspired others and i want to be known for my mistakes so i can show that not everyone is perfect but everyone can overcome obstacles and learn from experiences

  116. I want my legacy to be leaving my mark as being always positive and caring. I also want to be someone who is involved in so many things because that way I can reach out to so many different people.

  117. I definitely would want my legacy to be something that people can look up to. I would want to work hard and achieve my goals in life and work hard while doing it.

  118. I want my legacy to be a light to others, something that people can look back to and be inspired. Something that will make them feel warm, whole and loved. Something that will give them hope to keep going, and never give up on their story called life.

  119. I want my legacy to be something that my brothers can look at and use it as motivation. They would see the journey it takes to be successful and hopefully take that path as well

  120. My legacy will be to be one of the greatest friends someone could have and a hard worker whether or not I achieve my goals

  121. I want to have a good legacy. When I leave this world I want to have made a positive impact on this world and be remembered not just for greatness, but selflessness.

  122. My legacy, I want it to be rememberable and have an effect on people but in a good way, to help build the future and make it better. To be known as someone who was strong and kind is something I’d love.

  123. I want it to be known that sportsmanship is always been a major goal of mine and even though we lose keeping my head up and going into the next week even harder.

  124. I want to be known for being the hard worker that gave their all during everything that they did. If all I did was be lukewarm about everything I did, I don’t think I would be very happy.

  125. I want to leave a good legacy because I want people to follow in my footsteps and be able to recognize what I did in my life and take from what happened

  126. I want my legacy to be filled with memories that will last forever. I want to remembered as a good person on and off the court.

  127. I want my legacy not to only fulfill me and my happiness, but also inspire others to do the right thing and enjoy the little things.

  128. I want my legacy to be positive. I want to be known as a pro-science, pro-ethics activist who rose to defeat corrupt politicians and individuals of high power and spread wealth among the people. I want to be known for sticking to my values and what is right and donating to the unwealthy and science. I find it unlikely that I will be able to make a change in society, but I can always hope that one day a revolution will happen.

  129. I want my legacy to make a good impact on those younger than me so they can think that it’s all right to depend or talk to someone older.