Students pen essays on why they honor the American flag

Veterans, students, families and community members gathered inside the American Legion on late Sunday afternoon to recognize essays written by students from third through eighth grade on why they honor the American flag.

Put on by the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 1146, the awards program highlighted the three top-placing students in each grade for the quality of their essays. Each of the students who finished in first place in their respective grade read their essays to the packed crowd, and each of the top three finishers in each grade were awarded a gift bag.

Seventeen students in all participated in the contest. The program was hosted by Dennis Greenwalt, who served 20 years as Post 1146 commander. Greenwalt graduated from Ritzville High School in 1962, and served as a radio operator during the Vietnam War.

Merrick Shepard was the first place winner among the third graders, and says in his essay that the flag stands for freedom, pride, honor and responsibility. Merrick's father served in the Navy during the Gulf War, his grandfather served in the Army in the Vietnam War, and his great grandfather served in the Navy during World War II, in which he was awarded the Purple Heart for rescuing shipmates from a burning compartment on his ship. On his mother's side, Merrick's grandfather served as a doctor in the Korean War.

"Many heroes have risked their lives so I could enjoy my freedom today," said Merrick. "This is why the American flag means a lot to me."

Lexi Clodius was the winner among fourth graders for her essay, and she says in her essay that the flag makes her feel "lucky and happy" to be an American.

In the fifth grade, Caden Bates won the top prize, and in his essay he says the American flag makes him feel splendid, free and proud, as well as safe.

"The American flag makes me feel safe," said Caden. "We have laws and rules that are meant to keep us safe and happy. Without government and laws, the United States would be filthy and the air would be unhealthy to even breathe in. Also, the military is on guard all the time for people that could be a threat to our country."

LeaCadia Bren was the top finisher in the sixth grader. Her family had had three generations of military men, and she says she honors the flag because of them. She says that the flag represents freedom, loyalty and respect, and that it is an important patriotic symbol for herself.

There were no seventh grade entrants, and eighth grader Raegan Snider was the winner in her grade. In her essay, she says that she has "full respect for the flag, what it stands for and who has served under its name."

"Look at the American flag in this room," Raegan said. "What do you see? Sure, you see the colors of red, white and blue. You see 50 stars and 13 stripes. But does this flag send you a message such as the sense of freedom? It is more than a piece of fabric. It sends a message to its citizens. I honor the American flag because of that message."

Raegan also pointed out what each element of the flag signifies. The white stripes represent purity and innocent; the red represents hardiness and valor; and the blue represents vigilance, perseverance and justice. The stars represent the number of states in the union, while the stripes represent the original 13 colonies.

"To some it may send a message of faith, freedom, determination, a sense of protection, and a sense of unity," Raegan said.

Additionally, the sixth through eighth graders participated in the 2018-19 Patriot's Pen competition, held by the VFW Department of Washington. Nine students in all participated in the contest, and only one student would be allowed to advance to districts. Greenwalt announced following Raegan's reading of her essay that she was the student who advanced to districts.

The districts award presentation will be held on March 9 in Spokane, and Raegan has been invited to attend the presentation.

"[The students] did a great job," said Greenwalt. "Regardless of whether you won or not, I still appreciate everything you guys do."

Greenwalt also thanked the parents and the teachers of the students.