2009 Children's Writing Contest Winning Essays
The 4th of July is special to me because it is my birthday
and our country's. I love to celebrate in Granville with the parade and rides
and fireworks. I like to be with my family and friends. I am so lucky to live
in the U.S.A. and Granville.
Sabrina M.
age 6
To me the 4th of July means that we celebrate the freedom of
our country. At first we were ruled by England but we wanted to be our own
county so we fought in a war to be free. We won and we were free. So thats why
we celebrate the 4th of July. Freedom is special because some countries aren’t
free. I’m glad that we are. To celebrate we have parades and throw candy. Some
of us have balloons and we have games to play and we also ride rides. One of my
favorite parts of the parade is when the soldiers walk by with the flag. It
reminds me that we are free.
Julia L.
age 6
The Fourth of July was Great
The Fourth of July was great last year. I ate the food,
played the games, and rode the rides. The best food was the hotdogs. I love
them because they're delicious. The greatest game is the golf ball/fish winning
game. THE MOST AWESOME RIDE WAS THE BOAT RIDE. It was the best one ever! I was
about seven when I did it. The best thing about the food is they don't get
other stuff mixed with the hotdogs. The awesome thing about the best game was
you would get a fish if you won. The greatest thing about the boat ride was it
puts you high up in the air and makes your stomach tickle. You should have been
there! And the ferris wheel! Oh, the ferris wheel! When you were on the ferris
wheel you couldsee all over the fair! And the next I knew the ride was over. It
was great last year!
Sophia H.
age 8
The American Flag: My Symbol of Freedom
I am standing on the field at Crew
stadium. The World Cup qualifier between the USA
and Mexico
is about to begin. The clapping and stomping of 50,000 people sounded like 50
freight trains about to run over me! Out came a HUGE American Flag. The crowd
quieted down as I put my hand over my heart and the National Anthem began to
play. I was proud to be an American as I looked out at the Flag. I have chosen
the American Flag as my favorite symbol of Freedom.
You might ask who made the first
American Flag or why it had 13 stars? Betsy Ross made the first American Flag
in 1776. This flag has a circle of 13 stars and 13 stripes representing the 13
colonies. George Washington said "Let the 13 stars in a circle stand as a
new constellation in the heavens." Today, the Flag has 50 stars for the 50
states, but still has 13 stripes for the original colonies.
I like to think the Flag is how
American signs her name. You can see her signature everywhere. I looked at the
Flag in the classroom as we said the "Pledge of Allegiance". At the
beginning of a soccer, baseball, or hockey game we face the Flag as we sing the
National Anthem. Riding my bike around the neighborhood I see many Flags in
front of houses blowing in the breeze. My sister and I waved small American
Flags at the 4th of July parade last year. I still have my Flag and I often
look at it when I play the National Anthem on my violin. The Flag stands for
freedom and I feel free!!!
Noah G.
Age 9
What does freedom mean to Me?
This year I realized what freedom means to me. It means that
I can vote someday, pray anyway I want to and have as many children that God
gives me. The solders who risk their life to keep our country free are heros to
me. The flag is a symbol of freedom and we should respect what it stands for.
It stands for pride and honor. When I see the flag I think of all the people
that have served in the wars and died in the wars for us. This year I lost
somebody specal, his name was Pa Pa Kurek and he was a great friend. He was
specal because he fought in World War 2. He proudly wore his World War 2 baseball
hat every where he went. He loved to tell people about his experence in the war
and he loved to sing Patreotic songs. He loved serving his coutry. We are a
free country thanks to the people and solders like him who go to war and die
for us every day. God will bless them someday! Both of my grandpas served in
Air Force. This year I am thankful to be a American and live in United States of America.
Katie G.
age 9
When I think of freedom, I think of the millions of the
people who gave their lives to keep us free. I also think of other symbols of
freedom like the American eagle, the American flag, all of the Presidents, the
men and women who serve (including my dad) and many more.
My dad is in the military. He works hard for his family and
for his country. He makes many sacrifices for freedom. He loves us very much
but cares about his country too, so sometimes he has to leave us when he'd
rather be home. He went to Baghdad on my
birthday and Christmas, and will be in Guam
this 4th of July! Next winter he's going to Afghanistan. He's also had the same
haircut since he was 18 years old!...It ain't pretty.
My point is, if we didn't have people like my dad and the
rest of our Armed Forces we wouldn't be in the safe position we're in right
now. The safe and free country we live in is all owed to the people who serve
now and have served through out history!!!
Sydney B.
age 9
The B-17: A Symbol of Freedom
As grandson of a pilot that flew a
B-17 Flying Fortress in World War II, I get excited when my grandfather tells
stories about his flying days. He would bomb Nazi factories, railroad depots,
and U-boat docks. On several occasions my grandfather would fly into a
concentration camp to transport newly-released French soldiers back to France. On the
way, he would fly around the Eiffel
Tower. The soldiers were
very happy to see their country again. On several other occasions he would drop
much needed food and supplies to starving civilians on the ground in Holland.
There is a book that my grandfather
has that is all about B-17s in Germany.
I really like reading it when I visit him at his house. I have seen B-17s at
the National Air Force Museum, Rickenbacker AFB, and a small airport in Delaware County, Ohio.
Whenever I see a B-17 I feel great to be seeing such an important piece of
history and freedom.
A lot of sacrifices were made to
build the B-17s. Toy factories were converted into bomb factories, you could
only buy a certain amount of gas, and metal cans were used for building the
airframe of the B-17s.
My grandfather is always happy when
he steps inside a B-17 because it brings back so many memories of good things
he did in the war. The B-17 is a symbol of freedom because it helped liberate
many European countries in World War II from the Nazis. People in European countries
were very happy when they saw an American B-17 fly over. Freedom means a lot to
me because it meant so much to them.
Philip H.
Age 10
Whenever I think of freedom, I
think of the men and women in uniform. They are out there for you the minute
you need them. They fight for freedom. They risk their lives for you, this
country, and me.
We've got the best country with the
finest armed forces. We've got an Army, Marine Corps, Navy, Air Force, Coast
Guard, Army National Guard, Army Reserve, Air National Guard, Air Force
Reserve, and a Coast Guard Reserve. My dad is in the Air National Guard. He is
currently in Guam. Like all the other men and
women in uniform, he is there to help other people.
As a military kid I have a special
appreciation for the Armed Forces. I've had more experience than most kids will
ever have with the Military. Some are bad like being without my dad at times,
but there are more good things than bad about being the daughter of an Airman.
Seeing different bases all over the country, like the ones in Ohio,
Florida, Hawaii,
Virginia, and
D. C. was an enjoyable experience. I've also been in a military plane 2-3
times. It's loud, big, and cool. If you're lucky, you get to go to the cockpit
and help fly the plane, meet everyone, try on the headphones and use the
walkie-talkie. I've also gotten to sit on the glass window in the back and
watch the "boom operator" refuel the fighter planes. They lower a
giant hose and put it in the gas tank and pump the fuel in it. You're so close
you can see the fighter pilots faces! I was lucky enough to experience this
wonderful even that not a lot of other people get to see or do because of my
dad and the military...pretty awesome if you ask me.
To me, my dad and the rest of the men and women of our armed
forces stand for freedom. Thank you, a
very simple two words that every person in the armed forces deserves to hear.
Avery B.
Age 10
