The Ladies Auxiliary to R. W. Fritzinger VFW Post 7215 and the VFW post recently held a dinner to honor the winners in the Patriot's Pen and Voice of Democracy essay contests.

The theme for Patriots Pen was "why I appreciate America's veterans." The theme for the Voice of Democracy contest was "why veterans are important to our nation's history and future."

The eight Patriot's Pen winners were all from Northampton Area Middle School, and the Voice of Democracy winner was from Northern Lehigh.

Karen Bandzi, auxiliary president, gave the welcome and Auxiliary Chaplain Sue Bortz gave the invocation.

As the eighth-place winner, Caroline Marzano, came to the lectern, she was asked to tell who accompanied her to the ceremony.

Student responses included the naming of parents, siblings and grandparents.

"Everyone has their own definition of bravery," Marzano said. "My definition is a veteran."

She talked about veterans' training that made them brave and strong.

"Every day they go out and give 100 percent for those of us who are strangers," she said.

She received a Patriot's Pen backback and notebook, a citation and a gift certificate for $25 from Walmart.

Marzano placed second at districts. Her parents are Gregg and Andrea Marzano.

Except for the amount of the gift certificate, each entrant received the same gifts.

The seventh-place winner was Alexis McDonald. She also placed seventh at districts.

"What I appreciate most is how they serve America with their continuous fight for our freedom and how they reach out to foreign countries in need," she said.

She received a $25 gift card. Her parents are David and Jennifer McDonald.

Elijah Clayton, son of David and Stacy Clayton, placed sixth and first in the district.

"We should always honor veterans," he said. "They shielded us from evil as long as our country existed."

Clayton received a $50 gift certificate.

The fifth-place winner was Emily Wegrzyn, who said, "Growing up, we never had to worry about wars and battles. We always knew the veterans would protect us. They know they can't just forget about it and go home."

Wegrzyn placed third in districts. Her parents are James and Heidi Wegrzyn. She received a $50 certificate.

Cassandra Borzillo placed fourth and tenth in districts.

"Veterans do many dangerous jobs," she said. "Each veteran has a specific job to accomplish. Some of those jobs are being a soldier, doctor, pilot, truck driver and many others. Veterans do many nerve-racking jobs for our country."

She received a $50 gift certificate. Her parents are Frank and Jen Borzillo.

The third-place winner was Zachary Gula, whose parents are Mike and Michelle Gula. He placed ninth in districts.

"I appreciate America's veterans because they never give up on a mission," he said. "When the going gets tough, they go on and complete the mission. They show great courage."

He received a $75 certificate.

In second place was Suhas Yalamarti. His parents are Srinivas and Swarna Yalamarti. He placed eighth in districts. Yalamarti talked about two pots, one beautifully decorated and one plain and chipped.

"The world should realize that the chips, paint and size do not matter," he said. "The clay is strong in both. Likewise, we should not judge veterans based on their heritage, race or skin color."

He received a $100 gift certificate.

Cameron Cooper took top honors on the local level and sixth in districts. His parents are Cullen and Lori Cooper.

Cameron wrote that there are 953,644 veterans living in Pennsylvania. They are people who have served or are serving in the military. Some of those who fought suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder and some with homelessness and unemployment.

"If we truly have respect for their service, we should give them jobs or give them a place to live," he said.

Cameron received a $150 gift certificate.

The Voice of Democracy entry placed ninth in districts. Andrew Tarafas received a Voice of Democracy notebook, medal, dog tag and citation, along with $75 from the VFW and $75 from the auxiliary.

He began by talking about his grandfather, age 91, who served in Europe in World War II. He was injured but returned to Sicily. His story is representative of why veterans are so important to the history and future of our country.

Veterans of the Revolution went up against a better-funded, better-prepared army and forged a nation. Veterans of World War II returned home to rebuild this country into a nation the world looks to in time of need.

"The experience of Vietnam War veterans was different," he said. "They were not afforded the welcome and respect they deserved, but it was an attitude that slowly changed."

His parents are John and Ann Tarafas.

Bandzi thanked teacher Patty Jones for her help with the students who entered the Patriot's Pen contest for 12 years, but she is now moving on.

"All the essays were great whether they were first place or tenth," Bandzi said.

Visitors who congratulated the winners were state Jr. Vice Commander Tom Brown and John Getz, state adjutant/quartermaster.