Two Grygla JH students selected as essay winners

The VFW Ladies Auxiliary Post #2793 sponsored an essay contest titled, “Why I Honor the American Flag.” Essays were submitted by Grygla 7th and 8th graders with Tatum Carrlson and Tre Alten being selected as the winners. Each boy received $100 with $50 going to them and the other $50 going to their grade. 

L-R: Tatum Carrlson, Tre Alten and Mr. Grandstrand, Grygla Social Studies teacher.

Their essays are included below. Photo courtesy of Rose Hanson

Tatum Carrlson, Grade 7

I honor the American Flag because, it symbolizes our freedom and independence. The American Flag was made on June 14, 1777 with 13 stars and 13 stripes including the original 13 colonies along the East Coast. The American Flag symbolizes that we are independent and have fought for our rights and freedoms.

We have been through many wars including both world wars and have won our independence from other wars such as the war between Britain and the U.S. which was when we got our independence and our freedom. The American Flag has been soaring above buildings and schools ever since.

The American Flag should be honored and treated with respect and dignity. Many veterans have died during wars while fighting for and protecting our freedom and rights. America has pledges and a anthem for the American Flag where some people put their right hand over their heart to salute and veterans of war salute by putting their right hand to their head.

The American Flag has went through many changes with new states joining the nation and breaking away from the country that had owned the land that they consisted of. The present-day American Flag still has 13 stripes due to them not being able to add on more stripes. Now the American Flag has 13 stripes and 50 stars resembling the 50 states.

The American Flag needs to be respected, like not letting it touch the ground or leaving it out at night without having a light shining on it. When a flag is put to rest it is done at a memorial where it is burned in a respectful form.

Throughout history we have had many wars and all of the ones we have fought in, the American Flag had still stood strong and boldly. The American Flag symbolizes that this is the land of the free, and the home of the brave. 

Tre Alten, Grade 8

I honor the American flag, because my loved ones and other people’s loved ones are protecting and fighting for it. People’s loved ones have also died fighting and protecting it. It all started back when we claimed freedom from Great Britain. After we claimed independence from Great Britain, there was a war called the American revolutionary war that got us independence from Great Britain.

I also honor it because it has been around for hundreds of years because of the revolutionary war. The American flag to me is the best looking flag around because of it’s 50 stars for the states and red and white stripes. The American flag also stands for more than just freedom, it stands for all of our brave men and women that fought overseas and risked their lives for us. The American flag in my opinion should never be disrespected.

My great grandpa fought in World War 2 as an Air Force pilot, so that is another reason why I honor the American flag. I also honor the American flag because it represents us as a nation. It is an honor to be named a nation because some places do not get the same opportunity like we did. I also honor the American flag because you get the privilege to be able to call it your flag.

To be honest everybody should honor the American flag. I’ve seen people burn the flag, step on the flag, and even put things on the American flag. It makes me sick when I see people do that because the flag should never be treated with disrespect. In my opinion people should go to jail if they disrespect the American flag because it is just wrong to do anything to it. The American flag should be shown respect.

My last reason why I honor the American flag is that you do not understand what people have went through to keep the American flag safe and to keep it blowing in the wind. Our soldiers have seen things that no one else would understand and they did that to make sure the American flag keeps flying through high and low. Our soldiers would do anything to keep the American flag safe. This is why I honor the American flag.