November 21, 2024

Country School Student Wins VFW Essay Contest

Easton, MD – Country School eighth graders entered a local writing contest sponsored by the VFW, with this year’s theme being: “Why I honor the American flag.” Of the 80 essays submitted in our district, Damian René was the winner.

Photo: VFW member Michael Johnson, Country School English teacher Chris Nittle, Country School 8th grader Damian René, and VFW member Kenley Timms.
VFW member Michael Johnson, Country School English teacher Chris Nittle, Country School 8th grader Damian René, and VFW member Kenley Timms. – Contributed Photo

It was Damian’s thoughtful and articulate writing that captured the attention of contest judges and won him $100 and the honor of being recognized and appreciated by the Veterans of Foreign Wars.

Damian writes: “The American flag should be honored because it stands for courage, vigilance, and perseverance. It honors the men and women who died in the line of the duty, veterans, and the ones currently serving the country and overseas … [It] also stands for positive ideas and values [such as] justice, perseverance, and valor … [and] as Mark Twain said, ‘Patriotism is supporting your country all the time and your government when it deserves it.’ Presidents will come and go, but the ideas and values of the flag and the country will not cease to exist. We show respect to the flag not to concentrate on our disagreements, but on what unites us as citizens of The United States of America.”

~ Country School