Big Winner

So back a few weeks ago, Blake submitted an essay in a competition sponsored by the Elks. The subject of the essay was "Our Flag" -- What It Means To Me.

We are happy to report that Blake won 3rd place! For his prize, Blake wins a $50 Savings Bond (at maturity).

Blake's essay is below...

What the Flag Means To Me

By: Blake Hussey

Go outside and look at your flag and you’ll remember the freedom that the Americans who tried to get it and got it.

My Grandpa served in World War II in the Navy and is considered a hero and must have served the flag for his people. He had gone to Africa and Europe.

For 230 years we honored the flag in good times and bad times such as the Civil War. We started out with 13 stars and now on the flag we have 50 stars. Those stars represent the states.

Since we have our flag, we have several freedoms and make us feel loyal and good about ourselves in the country. We have freedom of worship, we have freedom of speech, we have freedom of want, and freedom of fear.

Everyone is united by our flag and when they see it; they all feel united by united. When I see the flag I feel very united by the flag too. For years we’ve been united by the flag.

The flags are everywhere such as on the moon, in our homes, and in schools around the country. We say the Pledge of Allegiance and we put our hands on our hearts in memory of the people who died. Flags are at memorials for the people who died. The men take off their hats in honor of the flag. The national anthem makes the flag strong in heart and soul. On the Fourth of July we honor our flag greatly in remembrance of the past and in hopes of the future. I think the heroes who died for our country tried to save other countries so they can have freedom too. Those countries never saw freedom because they lived in bad times.

The flag can mean many things and we can have freedom.