Congratulations to Brianne F. Lombrecht, a Waldon Middle Schooler who took first place in the North Oakland VFW Post 334 ‘Patriot’s Pen? contest.
Brianne’s essay, based on the question, ‘Does patriotism still matter?? was selected among 350 entries from six different schools.
She shares first place honors with Catherine Bartz, an Oxford Middle Schooler. Both girls will receive a $150 award check, as well as a medallion, from Post 334 at a dinner scheduled for Dec. 1 at American Legion Post 108 in Oxford.
The annual Patriot’s Pen essay writing contest is open sixth, seventh and eighth-graders in public, private and parochial schools.
Other winners include: Second Place, Mary Cech, Oakview Middle School, $125; Third Place, Alanaah E Peash, Oakview Middle School, $100; Fourth Place, Mary M. Peterson, Oakview Middle School, $75; Fifth Place, Trevor W. Tress, Oakview Middle School, $50.
The Voice of Democracy first-place award went to Brittany A. Spearing, Lake Orion High School, $150, while Teacher of the Year was awarded to Mrs. Tamie Hasty, Oak Hollow Christian School, $100. Congratulations to all the winners!
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Does patriotism still matter? ByBrianne F. Lombrecht, Waldon Middle School
It was another bitter winter morning; my fellow classmate and I were shivering to stay warm. As members of the safety squad it was our job to raise the striped and starred flag symbolizing independence, liberty, and freedom every morning and take it down at the end of the school day. It was because of our elementary’s devoted love for our country that we would ensure that over extraordinary flag swayed in the wind everyday. We had patriotism then, now and forever will. Patriotism is our national loyalty that we have for our country, and it matters every day.
We the people are the ones with the power to act with patriotism. If one day we decide that patriotism doesn’t matter anymore, then our country would crumble to pieces. However, we wouldn’t let that ever happen because as we have proved many times, we are important. We fought for independence with bravery, leadership, and courage, and supported the country that we wanted to be.
If patriotism didn’t matter then we wouldn’t have cared about the safety of our country on September 11, 2001. That devastating day united Americans to a point where strangers would reach out to save another stranger. It is now a day of proof that we unwarily show patriotism everyday and it matters. Patriotism matters because we care about our country and are still willing to die for it like we did during the Revolutionary War.
Year after year, we Americans have shown patriotism everyday. I know it because if we hadn’t then we would’ve become scrambled eggs along time ago. We’ve made it this far and will make it until the end of time as long as out patriotism stays strong. From the east coast to the west coast of the United States of America, as long as we continue to have Patriotism, then we will continue to be the prosperous country that we are.
The hook was frozen. My classmate and I couldn’t get the flag attached, but we didn’t give up. With our perseverance, we managed to raise our country’s flag into the air. I am proud to be able to look back on those memories and think that even though I didn’t know it, I was showing patriotism. Patriotism is the glue that filled our countries cracks and has allowed us to keep moving forward. Patriotism still matters and always will.