First Place: Amarachi Nnodimele

Lower Macungie Middle School

Teacher: Mr. David Bosse

I see the American flag everywhere. I see it in schools, community buildings, hung on houses, and even on popsicles. Yet in every one of these places, the flag has a different value, different meaning. It brings solace to those who have lost a family member in war. It is used to honor a family veteran, or all veterans who fought for our country. To those in a different country, it could reflect a chance for a better life. And every July 4th, it is used as a birthday decoration. But to me, the American flag is a reminder. A reminder of how lucky we are to live in a land with such freedom, opportunity, hope, and patriotism.

Freedom of the press, freedom of speech, freedom of religion, freedom of petition, and freedom of assembly. All of these freedoms and more are held within one thin fabric square that represents our nation. The American flag reminds me that I have all of these freedoms and rights to take advantage of and make a life for myself in the future. It reminds me daily that I live in a land where anyone, no matter who, can make something of themselves. The flag reminds me that I live in a country with limitless opportunities, that inspires me to hope, work, and grow toward the future I dream of.

Firefighters rush to douse buildings set ablaze. Ambulances dash through the streets to save a life. Police bring justice to citizens who have been done wrong. The American flag reminds me of these heroes who demonstrate ultimate patriotism each day. Through the American flag, I am also reminded of George Washington and the Continental Army who believed in change for our land and took action, and veterans who fought in wars for our nation. This American flag calls to attention, that I too, can demonstrate patriotism by being a law abiding citizen, and simply believing in our country, like our Founding Fathers did when they established the United States of America.

In conclusion, the American flag can be used for solace, honor, or celebration. But to me, it is a reminder of how lucky I am to live in a country where I have multiple opportunities for hope and a better future. It reminds me of how lucky I am to have people who have such patriotism to believe and fight for our country, and reminds me that I too, can be a patriot for America. To me, the American Flag, means patriotism, hope, freedom and opportunity.

Second Place: Andrew Leitzel

St. Ann School

Teacher: Mrs. Maureen Leitzel

The flag is a symbol of many different things; pride, hope, unity, remembrance, freedom, and much much more. It represents many different things depending on the person. It is a symbol of the pride Americans should have when they think of our nation. It is the symbol of the ultimate sacrifice; that so many Americans took when they fought for independence for our country. It is a symbol of perseverance for the people who came into the United States in order to have a better and more free life, and to live the American dream.

What the flag means to me however, is very unique. Since the beginning of this school year, I have been given the honor of raising and lowering the flag at school each day. I have learned how to hoist the flag, how to fold the flag and how to honor the flag each day. I know that in times of sorrow that the flag will be lowered to half mast. Each day, my friend and I have an audience watching us raise the flag. He stands still with his hand over his heart and gazes at it with utmost respect. He is a grandparent of one of the students at our school, and I often wonder if he served our country in the military. I wonder if he lost a loved one in war. I wonder if he or his family worked hard to come to this country to build a life and family in the land of opportunity. Whatever the reason, I have learned that the flag means something to each person who gazes upon its stars and stripes.

I know that this simple act of showing respect to this symbol of our nation has given me a sense of peace. I know that she was built through the dreams of those who wished to escape persecution and tyranny. Their struggle gave me the ability to attend school, go to church and work hard to achieve what I want in life. I will continue to be reminded that this simple act has great importance, and I will continue to gaze upon her with deep gratitude and respect all the days of my life.

Third Place: James Day

Lower Macungie Middle School

Teacher: Mr. David Bosse

The American flag is a symbol of the United States of America and its values. These values include freedom and liberty and justice for all. These rights are extended to everyone, no matter the person’s background. When I think about the American flag, I think about the rights and the liberties we have as Americans. Our flag’s design may seem simple and basic, yet it has a story behind it, and represents more than just what is seen on the surface. The flag depicts the United States as stars, a symbol that many associate with peace and tranquility. Stars are used to navigate and are seen as beacons to guide us, just as our nation is a beacon of hope to many immigrants seeking a new life. The flag’s stripes represents the original 13 colonies as a reminder of our revolutionary origins and is our link to the past.

The flag is not used solely for decoration, it is used to represent the country as a whole, and to remind each of us of our rights and liberties that reach back to 1776. This is why it is flown outside numerous government facilities and other public buildings across the country. Every time we see a flag flying we are reinforced in our commitment to preserve these rights for all of our nation’s people. Around the world at U.S. Embassies, the flag is flown to represent our nation on foreign soil. All American public schools fly the flag outside on a pole, another reminder that we as Americans provide a free and quality education to all children regardless of race, religion, or gender. In the morning, students across the nation recite the Pledge of Allegiance and/or the National Anthem to recognize the flag and the freedoms and opportunities it represents to them every day.

The American flag is a powerful symbol that helps to spread a healthy patriotism or love of one’s country. When Americans love their flag and their country they are willing to fight for its preservation. Especially fighting to preserve the values that the flag represents. This fighting does not necessarily mean war, it means protecting our liberties and being watchful that no one’s freedoms are trampled upon in our country. The flag helps us to remember that we are all Americans and that as Americans we all have equal rights. It also represents to foreign people that we are a nation based on freedom and liberty and that those who choose to immigrate here can share in these rights as well. It has been a symbol of hope to millions for almost 250 years and will continue to be a positive symbol for generations to come as long as we continue to remain faithful to the flag’s ideals and values.