This was the topic of this years Iowa 6th grade essay contest for the Elks Lodge.
We are proud to announce that our daughter, Lexus Carpenter, won the local, regional, and now the state level with her essay. There were over 1200 essays submitted by 6th grade students from across the state. The winning essays (one 6th grade boy and one 6th grade girl) got to attend and read their essay at the Elks Lodge annual banquet on April 28th. She received a standing ovation and many had tears running down their faces. So I thought I would share it with everyone on here as well.
Our Flag; What it Means to Me
Our flag means so much to me. It represents all the reasons I am proud to be an American and why I love this country. It reminds me of why I'm proud to be an American when I see a flag at half mast for a fallen soldier who has fought so bravely and has made the ultimate sacrifice for our freedom. It reminds me of the sacrifices the men and women in the Armed Forces make for us every day and how brave and courageous they are to risk everything and sacrifice so much for our country. It reminds me of the cemeteries I see lined with flags on Memorial Day and those they honor. It reminds me of the vast, open fields in our beautiful country that I call home. It reminds me of the fireworks intently watched on the Fourth of July to celebrate our country and of the veterans that ride by in a parade and the pride I feel when the crowd stands up and applauds. Our flag reminds me of how lucky we are to be a democracy and have the ability to choose our leaders; and how grateful I am that we can speak freely. It reminds me of the flag waving as the National Anthem is sung strong and proud to celebrate our country. Our flag represents the freedom we have when many other countries don't. It reminds me of the past presidents who helped make our country what it is today. It reminds me of the majestic flight of the mighty bald eagle as it soars over our country. Our flag represents this country and the reasons why I am truly proud to be an American. Our flag reminds me that we can't take any of these thing for granted.
We are proud to announce that our daughter, Lexus Carpenter, won the local, regional, and now the state level with her essay. There were over 1200 essays submitted by 6th grade students from across the state. The winning essays (one 6th grade boy and one 6th grade girl) got to attend and read their essay at the Elks Lodge annual banquet on April 28th. She received a standing ovation and many had tears running down their faces. So I thought I would share it with everyone on here as well.
Our Flag; What it Means to Me
Our flag means so much to me. It represents all the reasons I am proud to be an American and why I love this country. It reminds me of why I'm proud to be an American when I see a flag at half mast for a fallen soldier who has fought so bravely and has made the ultimate sacrifice for our freedom. It reminds me of the sacrifices the men and women in the Armed Forces make for us every day and how brave and courageous they are to risk everything and sacrifice so much for our country. It reminds me of the cemeteries I see lined with flags on Memorial Day and those they honor. It reminds me of the vast, open fields in our beautiful country that I call home. It reminds me of the fireworks intently watched on the Fourth of July to celebrate our country and of the veterans that ride by in a parade and the pride I feel when the crowd stands up and applauds. Our flag reminds me of how lucky we are to be a democracy and have the ability to choose our leaders; and how grateful I am that we can speak freely. It reminds me of the flag waving as the National Anthem is sung strong and proud to celebrate our country. Our flag represents the freedom we have when many other countries don't. It reminds me of the past presidents who helped make our country what it is today. It reminds me of the majestic flight of the mighty bald eagle as it soars over our country. Our flag represents this country and the reasons why I am truly proud to be an American. Our flag reminds me that we can't take any of these thing for granted.
