Five veterans from Veterans of Foreign Wars joined the three winners of the Patriot’s Pen essay contest at Northwestern Lehigh School District when the awards were made.

The veterans came from Post 12099, Nursing Corps of Pennsylvania which meets at the Allentown Armory, though that name will be changed in the future to honor the first female general in the Army.

The winners from the seventh grade were Maggie Ann Mauro, first; Elizabeth Leiser, second; and Benjamin Griffith, third, who, in addition to plaques, received checks in the amount of $100, $75, and $50. Language arts teacher Taylor Urban had heard about the program a year ago, and this year she asked the students to participate.

Prizes on the national level are at least $500, with the first place winner receiving $5,000 and a trip to Washington, D.C.

Second place nationally earns $4,000 and third gets $3,500.

The theme of the 2016 contest is “What freedom means to me.”

Ben wrote that freedom is never giving up, and sacrificing yourself for others.

He included the quote, “Freedom isn’t free” and said it is very true.

“We didn’t have freedom when the country was founded,” he said.

“We have had many good presidents beginning with George Washington who fought for the British before the Revolution.

“Abraham Lincoln helped during the Civil War, and there were others. We have had a very good past to learn and teach other generations.

“We have a life that some others in other countries can only dream of.”

Elizabeth wrote she is able to express herself as an individual.

“You’re free to be you. Without freedom you are like a bird locked in a cage. Without freedom there is no point in life.

“What’s the point of living on Earth if you have to live the way others want you to.

“I have never lived where there wasn’t freedom,” she wrote.

“I know there are places where girls cannot go to school and people cannot choose their religion.

“When you have freedom you have the right to speak or think what you like without restraint.

“Freedom is a gift our ancestors laid upon us.”

Maggie wrote, “Freedom is something we take for granted.

“Families waited desperately for news from the Revolutionary War front and when it came, some sighed with relief and some wept.

“Many supplies such as food, clothing and medicines were needed but there was no money.

“Illness spread through the Army.

“War! That’s what paid for our freedom – the blood of countless soldiers sacrificing themselves.

“We have the right to speak for what we believe in. Our country takes into account what citizens of another country say.

“Imagine standing before a vast red-clothed, highly trained, strong British Army.

“It took courage for those shivering men to stay and fight. Those who lost their lives never did get to experience freedom.

“Today our flag , proud and dignified, waves valiantly as it represents our country and its freedom.”

Urban said they honor the local veterans and part of that was talking about what freedom means. She appreciates the many entries.

The seventh graders also wrote letters of gratitude to members of the military and some received replies.

The eighth grade is building a memorial around the flag pole.

“We are here to recognize the people who are up on the stage. They give us insight into the life of a veteran,” she said.

Joe Zeller, 97, said they should live a positive life because people depend upon you, the citizens of our country.

He talked about his World War II experience of fighting in Norway because the Nazis had taken it over and wanted the “heavy water” being developed there to make an atomic bomb.

He was in the Navy for 11 years as a chief and as a turret gunner.

Mike Schnur, an Army veteran from the Vietnam War, is the Post commander. He was a staff sergeant.

“We are glad to have with us David Keller, a rear admiral in the Navy during Vietnam,” said Zeller.

Keller is a graduate of Northwestern Lehigh High School and was in the Navy for 30 years.

Keller said Zeller is part of what is known as the “Greatest Generation,” thosewho lived through the Great Depression and served in World War II.

Robert Greene was in the Air Force during Vietnam. Leo Palumbo, a sergeant, is an Army veteran.

Zeller, a former state legislator, said people are very concerned now but as a free nation we will straighten it out.

During a question period Gabe Knerr asked if they were involved in the draft. He was told they all were.

Urban said they put themselves in a situation where they were making sacrifices. The veterans received a standing ovation.

Maggie said it was a good experience and the words just flowed. Elizabeth did not take long to write but did a lot of editing, and Ben did some research before he began writing.

Assistant Superintendent Jennifer Holman was watching the program. High School Principal Aileen Yadush had been invited to see what it was about.

Urban would like the high school to participate in the Voice of Democracy contest next year, also sponsored by the VFW.