War is something that seems thousands of miles away. You’ll read headlines in news articles that pours information all about the war, and you’ll still think that the war can’t affect the daily life of a Kansan.
You’re wrong.
As the conflict continues in Iran, 7,258 miles away, gas prices and the economy continue to strain under the weight of war, which began Feb. 28.
The local concern is greatest for students whose parents are in the military or work at McConnell Air Force Base.
“A lot of our refueler jets have gone out to Iran, and security has gotten tighter since the war started,” sophomore Lily Dannis said.
Dannis lives on base and her stepfather is an ex-military member. The Trusted Traveler process was dismantled at the start of the war, forcing everyone entering and exiting the base to have an ID.
“If my stepdad were deployed, then my main concern would be for his safety,” Dannis said. “He has said that if it gets to that point, then he would request to be discharged because he doesn’t want to be involved in the war.”
Senior Maddy Wines understands Dannis’ concerns.
“My family still has ties to the military, so we have a lot of friends and family who are in the military,” Wines said. “I have an emotional tie to the war because I don’t want them over there and them getting hurt.”
Wines is attuned to the feeling of military kids. Her father is ex-military and was previously deployed before he retired.
“When he was over there, it was very hard thinking about the unknown of whether he’s even going to make it home or if his deployment would be extended,” Wines said. “I know a lot of kids who are military kids, and their parents are still deployed, and it puts a lot on your mental health as well as your family in general, not having your other parents there.
“If you’re an older sibling, then it’s your job to step up and take care of your family. I had to help my mom with things and help care for my brother because I had to take the role as the ‘other parent.’”
The war affects everyone, particularly their wallets. Kwik Shop had gas for $4.01 on May 7. The national average for gas prices is at $4.55 a gallon, the highest it’s been since 2022.
But what you pay at the pump is not the only thing gas prices will affect.
“The prices will affect everything,” Wines said. “They’ll affect student drivers trying to get to school to pay for gas, or it will affect their parents trying to cover the cost. It will affect people in other countries as well by spending money on food and making sure everyone has the necessities. Travel and shipping costs will go up as well, and it will cause people to stop buying products from overseas countries.”
With the uncertainty of the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, a primary artery for oil trade in Iran, prices are only going to rise.
“I can see that the reason we’re going to war is for a good cause, but it could also bring backlash on everyone else,” senior Quintin Lashinski said.
Lashinski is a member of the AFJROTC with aspirations to own a local business – unless his country calls for him to fight. All 18 year old males will automatically be registered for the draft.
“Depending on what life throws at me, it may affect me to go straight into the military,” Lashinski said. “My plans right after high school are to start a small business here in Derby and help the community as much as I can, but if need be, I will join the military to defend the country.”