Patriot Pen: Why I Honor the American Flag

Why do I honor the American Flag? We honor the flag because we don’t want to please ourselves, but to honor those who paid the ultimate sacrifice for our freedom. We honor those present and past presidents who have led us in hard times and easy times. We honor our freedom that we have won.

I honor the flag because of those who risked their lives for our country. I look up to all those soldiers past, present, fallen, and the heroes who have served us. There are many Americans who have died because of war, about 1.2 million. Many people are willing to serve our country; they are willing to risk their lives for our country. There were many people in the Revolutionary War that risked their lives for our country’s freedom.

At our school we learn about the American Flag. Each day before school a few people from our class get the honor of putting up the American Flag. The flag is always up unless it is raining. White signifies purity and innocence, red, hardiness and valor, and blue, the color of the Chief (the broad band above the stripes) signifies vigilance, perseverance and justice.

We stand not because of past or present pain caused by injustice, but to salute the principle of justice. I believe that by looking to the flag we think about how we are brought together by justice. When the fathers of our nation made this country, they made it to have justice and peace. When we look at the flag we should think about justice.

The flag has been around since June 14, 1777. Many of our ancestors have looked up to the flag. We honor the flag for many reasons just as our ancestors did. To survive in peace and harmony, united and strong, we must have one people, one nation, one flag. This is why I full heartedly honor my American Flag.

About Voice of Democracy and Patriot Pen Programs

According to VFW Post 4090 Commander Bill Almy, “The Voice of Democracy and Patriot Pen program is the VFW's shining star when it comes to youth activities and programs. Voice of Democracy it's geared for high school level students to write essays and record their essays to be judged and screened at the post level with the opportunity to advance to District, State department and National level for total scholarship of $30,000 in college tuition to the winner at National level.”

The essays are normally two to three minutes long and the topic is chosen by the Veterans of Foreign Wars organization each year.

The Patriot Pen essay program is an opportunity for Middle School students to participate in a similar essay program. The topic again is chosen by the Veterans of Foreign Wars organization and the prize package is less than Voice of Democracy winners. The Patriot Pen program gives middle schoolers and opportunity to test their skills in the essay program and once they get to high school level participate in Voice or Democracy for greater Rewards.

The Portland Beacon has made arrangements with VFW Post 4090 to publish some of the submissions it received this year. The words, thoughts and ideas shared in the submissions are those of the author.