Nicole Barnard received first place in the American Legion’s essay contest.
All fifth-grade students wrote an essay entitled, “What the Flag Means to Me.” Three winners were selected by members of the American Legion Davis Pence Post No. 69 and announced during an assembly Jan. 17 at Clarke Community Elementary School. The first-place essay was submitted to the district level.
This is a copy of Barnard’s essay:
“I am proud to stand under the red, white, and blue where beauty is from lake to lake. I love our flag, the white fifty stars that stand for each state and the thirteen stripes that stand for the thirteen colonies.
The American flag is everywhere. There are even six flags on the moon. I find that very interesting.
When a flag is no longer able to be used, it is not just thrown away. Instead they burn it. I think it is a good way to put a remarkable symbol of our country out of use. Only half of the 50 states in America have laws that encourage students to recite the Pledge of Allegiance in the classroom.
I was interested in how our flag was made. I learned that in May of 1776, Betsy Ross sewed the original flag. When I look at the flag, I feel joy that I live in a free country where everyone is treated fairly. Everyone lives under a beautiful, amazing flag. The flag to me is a sign that this is a place that I belong.”