One Nation, Under God

Second place essay for Patriotism Month

The Month of February was a month to celebrate and observe Partiotism.

The Malta VFW Auxiliary sponsored and held a creative essay writing event called "The Patriot's Pen."

According to Kari Hould of the Malta VFW Auxiliary, four students were selected from the nearly 70 entries to represent The Buster Deo VFW Post 4067 in District and State competition. The local winners were selected in November after a three hour gathering of judges to provide scores on students original works on the theme “What Is Patriotism To Me?”

Local judges scored each essay with 30 points for knowledge of theme, 35 points on theme development and 35 points were for clarity of idea. The top four were selected as each Post can submit one entry for every fifteen essays entered. Judges this year were Marcella McEwen, Grant Messerly and Kaitlyn Smith, who had their work cut out for them.

This week's essay features the third place selection by David Schaldack, an eighth grader at Malta Middle School.

Patriotism. By David Schaldack

What does being patriotic mean? Well, it can mean many things, but to me being patriotic is wanting the best of your country and its people. You can be patriotic in several different ways. Being patriotic doesn't mean you can´t have problems with your country or its people, but wanting/trying to help fix those problems or make them better.

Patriotism is being proud of our country and the things that it gives us. We have more rights than most other countries. The Bill of Rights gives use of free speech, rights to bear arms, freedoms of the press and privacy, a fair trial, the right to vote for representatives, and more. One of the most important things in our country is equality. no matter who you are or what you look like you have the same rights and opportunities that other people have. Our country is a democracy, which means that people have the power to elect and remove people from the power

Being a patriot also shows that you put trust in your government and people. Following laws, and contributing to your community/country are daily examples of this. Voting and elections are also important ways to show that you care. Respecting other people, especially veterans and emergency workers (police, firefighters) is also way to show patriotism. respecting the American flag is an important part of being patriotic, as the flag isn't just a piece of cloth. A real patriot is someone respectful to everyone, even people they disagree with.

Many things you do in your daily life can be patriotic, following laws, and being respectful to people, especially veterans and emergency workers. Being thankful for the rights you have and the equality of opportunities. But to me being patriotic all that you do. It's wanting the best for your country and its people.

 

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