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What is the Flag Essay Contest?
The essay of no more than 300 words in length on "What the Flag
Means To Me."
Eligibility
The Flag Essay Contest is open to all area 5th grade students who are U.S.
citizens.
How Do I Compete?
The American Legion Fifth Grade Flag Essay Contest begins at the local level
and continues through to District and State finals. Approximately 180-200
students participate yearly in the Marion Post #298 contest. The Flag Code
Pamphlet is provided to all fifth grade students, whether participating in the
writing contest or not, when the packet announcing the contest is provided to
the school. One winner is selected from
each school: Linn Mar, Marion Independent, Marion
Home School Offices and St. Joseph's School. One overall winner is forwarded to
District competition. The 1st place winner in each of Iowa's 9 Districts
advances to the State final. The top three finalists at State level will be
asked to participate in the Department Convention Parade and read their essay at
the 2013 Department Convention.
Each student participating is returned their essay and given a
4"x6" mounted desk top flag and a copy of the United States Flag Code.
Each classroom represented is offered a 2'x3' indoor flag. Students writing
winning essays are asked to read their essays to the class (or school assembly) in a brief awards
ceremony. The six winning entries receive a certificate from Post #298 and a
3'x5' nylon outdoor flag. Winning essays are also printed in the Marion Times
and Post 298 Newspapers. One overall winner is selected and his or her
essay is sent on to District competition.
Entry forms are distributed to the Fifth grade teachers of schools listed
above in Mid November. Interested teachers may also contact Post #298 for more
information. Coordinator of the Flag Essay contest is Mr. Gerry Wegmann.
Entry forms are available at Post 298 in the late fall or through your school
office.
District Prizes:
The 1st place winner will be awarded $75 and a Flag flown over the national
Capitol on Veterans Day and an invitation for them to come to the Spring
District Conference for them and their family to read their entry at the noon
lunch. Their entry will advance on to Department for state judging.
The 2nd place winner will be awarded $50 and a Flag flown over the national
Capitol on Veterans Day and an invitation for them to come to the Spring
District Conference for them and their family to read their entry at the noon
lunch.
The 3rd through 6th place winners will receive $25.
The student's Social Security Number is needed to issue the Savings Bonds.
Awards will be presented to the winners at the Second District Spring Conference
noon luncheon. The Winners and their Parents will be guests of the District at
the noon luncheon.
What the Flag Means to Me.
The fifth grade students of Linn Mar and Marion School Districts, which
includes Marion Home School and St. Joseph's Catholic School, recently had the
opportunity to express their original and creative thoughts in writing as a
personal response to that question. Compliments of Marion American Legion Post
#298, a DVD titled "For Which It Stands" and a teaching aid
"Let's Be Right on Flag Etiquette" are provided each school and a Flag
Code pamphlet made available to each student. The guidelines for the writers
were no more than 300 words, original composition, type-written and attached to
an entry form. All participants and their teachers receive a 4" X 6"
desktop flag.
We were pleased with the response of the students; we received 152 entries for
the 2013 contest, which involved nine schools. Greatly appreciated are the fifth
grade teachers who educate the youth about our nation's history and flag. Based
on the quality of essays, the fifth grade classroom leaders deserve accolades
for their thorough job in the education process.
A thank you is extended to our dedicated judges: Kathy Hughes representing the
Auxiliary, Roger Norfolk and Gerry Wegmann for the Legion, and Michele Wegmann
from the general public. Their responsibility was to identify the best writer
from each participating school, and determine the most deserving of the
individual school winners to advance to District level competition. The criteria
utilized by the judges were originality, logic, facts/comprehension, and
grammar/spelling.
The list of winners below will each receive a certificate, and 3 X 5 nylon flag.
All school winner award presentations will take place at a special ceremony
within each school, honoring the individual, and attended by their fellow
classmates, teachers, administrators and often-times family members.
This year's winners and their schools are:
1. Casey Mich, Bowman Woods, daughter of Scott and Laura Mich, teacher is
Mrs. JoNel Boekhoff.
2. Demetrius Khalil Scott II, Echo Hill, son of Demetrius and Lonigue Scott,
teacher is Mrs. Sheri Soukup.
3. Zoey Marciniak, Indian Creek, daughter of Steven and Cynthia Marciniak,
teacher is Ms. Katie Meidlinger.
4. Seth Crow-Schrader, Linn Grove, son of Adam Schrader and June Crow-Schrader,
teacher is Mr. Todd Walker.
5. Patricia Redington, Novak, daughter of Brian and Nicole Redington, teacher is
Mrs. Kim Frette.
6. Josh Wherry, St. Joseph's, son of Luann Wherry, teacher is Mrs. Dee Hamlett.
7. Cole Ehr, Vernon, son of Mike and Amy Ehr, teacher is Mrs. Kim Knapp.
8. Karli Michael, Westfield, daughter of Marc and Kim Michael, teacher is Mrs.
Erin Henderson.
9. Dylan I. Scharnau, Wilkins, son of Gregg and Susan Scharnau, teacher is Mrs.
Sara Hofer. Dylan advances on to District competition.
We extend congratulations to these local winners and good luck wishes to
Dylan I. Scharnau as his essay advances to District competition.
A special thank you goes to Darrell Stahl, Post Historian, who attends,
participates, and photographs the award presentations.
We were fortunate to have one active military person with us at eight schools to
make the actual flag presentation to the winning student, share their military
history with us and participate in a question and answer time to close out this
patriotic activity. Representing the Army was Lt. Colonel John Schulte, and from
the National Guard, SFC Mark Blakeman and SGT. Toby Ray. Their participation was
appreciated and enjoyed by school personnel, students , family and most
certainly Darrel and me.
 By Dylan I.Scharnau - Wilkins School
"The Flag Through My Eyes"
It is morning. Every day, I wake up and know that I am free. I see our
American flag and I know it stands tall and against all terrorism, injustice,
and all cruelty.
This country is our country, one in which our stock market crashed,
harsh wars have been fought, and where violence has been stopped. On that
wonderful day of May 2, 2011, we captured the al Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden. I
know we have the best military in the world to protect Americans and our customs
and traditions. Our military has a strong respect for the flag as a symbol of
their code of honor. I visited the Capitol Building in Des Moines and saw the
display of many antique flags that were charged into the heat of battle. Yet,
they are still standing. These are symbols of American strength.
As a ten year old boy, I grow up in our free, extraordinary, and strong
country. When I look at our American flag, I see in my future that I can have a
rich education, which other countries sometimes can not provide. Because we are
free, we can also vote for whomever we wish. I can always look up to our elected
president and trust his decisions. When I see the flag, I know I am a free
citizen of the United States of America, and I will give back to our brave
country through my strong leadership and by protecting our rights and freedom.
Our country has a somber history, but we can continue to realize our
development toward our hopes for liberty for all. This country can always be a
nation that others will look up to as our flag flies high.
===
Casey Mich - Bowman Woods School
Teacher: JoNel Boekhoff
Most People like the flag because it represents freedom; but the number one
reason why I like the flag is my family helped create the freedom I have.
My Dad served in the Air Force; my cousin and his girlfriend are in the Navy.
My great grandpa and great uncle were in the Army and served in World War II.
The reason why this means so much to me is the feeling I get when I think
about my family risking their lives for other people. If my family and others
had not given up their freedom and time with their families; we might not be
able to be the nation we are today.
I hope now you know how much the flag and the people who made freedom
possible mean to me.
===
 Demetrius Khalil Scott
- Echo Hill School
Teacher: Mrs. Sheri Soukup
Going to school we always say the Pledge of Allegiance to the flag every
morning. Allegiance means loyalty, commitment, devotion or faithfulness. When
saying the Pledge of Allegiance you are making a solemn oath to our government
and what it stands for. One nation under God, indivisible meaning undivided or
united, with liberty which is the state of being free, and justice which is the
quality of being fair or reasonable for all.
The flag stands for our nation's strength and unity. There are 50 stars that
represent the 50 states and 13 stripes that represent the 13 original colonies
which were the first states of the Union.
What the flag means to me is freedom and peace. It is a reminder of
everything that our nation has gone through to get where we are today. It stands
for the courage of our troops that go to war to protect us. It represents the
blood that is shed to protect us and our freedom. It is a constant reminder of
who we are. It should never touch the ground or water. It should never be held
horizontally or flat. When a soldier is killed or dies it is placed over their
casket to show that they fought for us, our rights and our freedom.
This is what the flag means to me as a citizen of the United States of
America.
===
 Zoey Marciniak
- Indian Creek School
Teacher: Ms. Katie Meidlinger
To me the flag represents America. It shows the bravery of the soldiers who
guaranteed our freedom and independence. The flag means pride and citizenship in
the United States of America. Citizenship means trying hard to do your best to
show people you care about America. Being a patriot isn't about just loving your
country and respecting the flag, it's much more than that. It's also about
knowing who fought for you, why they did it, and how important it was. The flag
is a symbol of being united, pride and hard work. I realize that sometimes when
I'm doing an everyday routine that I might not have been able to do it if people
wouldn't have risked their lives to protect our country. That's what the flag
means to me.
===
 Seth Crow Schrader
- Linn Grove School
Teacher: Todd Walker
When I think Of the American Flag, there are three things that the flag means
to me: freedom, my Uncle Nile and my grandpa.
The first thing I think about is freedom. I'm lucky that I live in a free
country where the government doesn't control me and I can be on the internet.
Since I'm free, I can worship God the way I want. We are free to display our
flag but we need to be respectful of it when it's on display.
The second is my Uncle Nile since he was in the American Legion. When he died
last month, the Legion members gave us an American flag at his funeral and it
reminded us all how important our service people and Legion members are to
America. My aunt hugged the flag after it was given to her.
The third thing the flag means is my grandpa. He is in the American Legion,
too. He has taken my brothers and me to Flag Disposal Ceremonies to show us the
proper way to destroy an old flag. When I see flags still flying that should be
retired, I think of going with my grandpa to watch the ceremony. I'm sad that
people don't pay attention to how their flag looks. I'm glad the Flag Code says
"No disrespect should be shown to the Flag of the United States of
America" but I think it should be harder on people that hurt or do bad
things to the flag.
These are the three things that our flag reminds me of and thank you,
America.
===
 Patricia Redington
- Novak School
Teacher: Mrs. Kim Frette
What the flag means to me is independence and pride. It represents people
right now and people long ago fighting for our freedom. Every day people are
thankful for those who care so much about the USA. This year I watched the
inauguration and the flag hung proudly and bold. The flag means that the 50
states are united as one. It means the ability to choose, to vote and the
ability to try to reach your dreams. It means to be who we want to be. So the
next time you see the flag, think of who you are and what you stand for as a
human being in this great country the United States of America! That's what the
flag means to me!
===
 Josh Wherry
- St. Joseph's School
Teacher: Mrs. Dee Hamlett
Close your eyes and be there with Francis Scott Key, on a ship in Chesapeake
Bay just outside of Baltimore, watching the Battle of Fort McHenry. Bombs are
bursting in the night sky, when he starts to write the word to what will become
our country's National Anthem.
My favorite words are "Our flag is still there," "Our flag is
still there" means freedom is still alive. America is built on freedom.
Anytime we see the way Mr. Key did when he wrote those words, "Our flag is
still there."
From the Revolutionary War to the Civil War, from WWII to the wars fought in
Afghanistan and Iraq our flag has been raised high in pride. Each star and
stripe represents an American, willing to fight for freedom in the United States
and around the world.
===
 Cole Ehr
- Vernon Middle School
Teacher: Mrs. Kim Knapp
To me the flag of the United States of America is my reputation. It is the
symbol of our country. To me it's a sign of justice and sacrifice to our nation.
It is to be respected.
To me the flag is a sign of freedom. It is also a sign of patriotism. The
best thing is when I see the flag in a foreign country. It's even a guide to me.
The flag of the United States of America is sort of a path to live a good
life to me. It is also a sign of those who died for our country. It represents
the best country in the world! That is what the flag means to me.
===
 Karli Michael
- Westfield School
Teacher: Mrs. Erin Henderson
What the American Flag means to me. It is the symbol of pride of living where
I do. To me it represents our freedoms, sacrifices, and true spirit! When I
think of the flag I think of freedom. I feel so lucky and grateful to have the
choices I have due to the sacrifices people have made for me. Men and women
leave their families and home to go to war to defend our flag and freedoms. The
nation's true spirit really shines through the flag. Our school takes the pride
to say the pledge each and every morning and probably yours too! That is what
the American Flag means to me!
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