VFW recognizes area students at annual essay awards program

The Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 1146 held its annual essay awards program at the American Legion Hall last Sunday afternoon, highlighting students from fourth through ninth grade who participated in the contest.

Students from area schools were invited to participate in the contest, and the first place winners read their essays in front of the audience, which included members from the VFW and American Legion. The program was moderated by Dennis Greenwalt.

Fourth and fifth graders were prompted with the question of how they would encourage respect to the flag of the United States. The fourth grade winner was Baxter Moore. In his essay, Moore said he believes the flag stands for the veterans that stand up for the country, and said he would like to join the army or navy when he grows up.

The fifth grade winner was Addie Herold. In her essay, she highlighted some of the ways to respect the flag. Some of the ways she said to respect the flag is: make sure the flag does not drop or touch the ground, do not use the flag for decor or decoration, do not wear the flag as clothes or a costume, and don't put marks on it, pin stuff to it or cut it.

Sixth through eighth graders participated as one group instead of being split up into grades, as part of the Patriot's Pen contest that is held across the country and has a national grand prize of $5,000. They were prompted with the question of what makes the United States a great country. The first place winner of the group was Kalea Herold.

In her essay, Herold highlighted three things that make the United States a great country: freedom of religion, America's diversity, and free education for kindergartners through 12th graders. She also said she likes finding out about the past and how we can learn from it, which is one reason she loves America.

The Voice of Democracy contest is also a nationwide contest held by the VFW, and has a national grand prize of a $30,000 scholarship. The contest is open to high school students, and the local winner this year was Raegan Snider. Snider also read her essay at the LRHS Veterans Day Assembly last month.

In her essay, Snider explained what she believes makes the United States a great country. One of the reasons it's great, she says, is our past and the way we persevere.

"Our past is like trial and error," she says. "We try something, it goes wrong, and we get back on our feet and try again, learning from our past mistakes."

Another reason why Snider believes America is great is because of the rights it affords its citizens. She explains that as she's started to listen more in her classes, she's started learning about the amendments, the Constitution and the history of the United States.

She also believes that kindness and love makes our country great.

"People show acts of kindness everyday," she says. "Just by listening, you are being kind. Looking someone in the eye is showing that you care. Smiling at them lets them know that they are not alone. Our acts of kindness come from love, and love is a powerful thing. It is not seen, nor smelt, but felt by the heart."