Grace Sarvie of Brainerd and a student at St. Francis of the Lakes Catholic School was the first place winner in the Minnesota Veterans of Foreign Wars Essay Contest for patriotic writing.
The theme was “What the American Flag Means to Me.” This event was sponsored locally by the Brainerd VFW Auxiliary.
Sarvie’s winning essay: “To me, the American flag means peace, freedom, and joy. It tells me what the soldiers did for our country. They fought for their freedom and other people's freedom too. It makes me happy and helps me appreciate my country even more than I did when I was first learning about America. I love the country that I live in because it is free and that is where God put me. It is a gift from God. When I look at the American flag, I think of the guidance it gives me to appreciate the country more and more every day. When I see the flags at half-staff I really think about the police, firemen, and medical workers that help our country.
“The American flag is very special to me and I think it should be to other people too. I do truly think that the American flag is a gift from God and lots of people don't see that. Every part of the American flag tells me something about our country like the red and white stripes and the white stars. I really also think that the Pledge of Allegiance and the National Anthem are really beautiful songs and sayings about our country. I love our country so much and I think there is still a lot more to learn about it and the American flag. This is what the American flag means to me.”
