Tag Archive: Youth Essay Winner

January Post Meeting

In lieu of a speaker, the Post recognized the following students for their essay submissions:
Our Patriot’s Pen winner – Karsen Friesen 6th Grade was not able to attend.

The 4th grade Youth Essay winner, Calijan Smith, below, left and the 5th grade winner, Eloise Liao at right, are shown in the photos below with Commander Bowen.

Also recognized was our Teacher of the Year, Ali Hammond, who was not able to attend.

January Post Meeting

Business Meeting Started@ 1815 Hrs

The minutes from the 10/18/2023 & the 11/15/2023 meetings were read and approved by the membership. The Quartermaster’s report was reviewed and approved by the membership.
Several expenditures were presented for approval and were so approved by voice vote, including expenditures for Quartermaster supplies, & equipment as well as a new video camera to facilitate the use of Zoom for meetings.

Christmas party meals and cash awards for the VFW Essay winners were also approved.
Two items were added to the Veterans Relief Fund budget; The Captain Joseph House and Sarge’s Place Shelter for the benefit of Gold Star Families and Homeless Veterans.

A proposal was also approved to pay to American Legion Post 66 an annual feel for the use of their building. We will recognize the recipients of the Police/Fire/EMT awards at our next meeting on 02/21/2024.

Mike Reagan has graciously offered to do a portrait of the recipients of the Post Police/Fire/EMT & Teache f the Year as chosen by the Post.

Sophia Hradec

Youth Essay Winner

Youth Essay Winner 

Youth Essay Winner

Our Youth Essay winner, third grade student Sophia Hradec, comes to us from Machias Elementary School. In addition to her Post 8870 award, Sophia also won at the District 1 level. Sophia read her essay at award ceremonies for both levels and the text of her essay is reproduced below. 

How the American Flag Makes Me Feel 

Let me tell you how the American flag makes me feel. First, the American Flag makes me feel sad. It makes me feel sad because dogs and people are fighting and dying for our freedom. Second, it makes me feel happy. The American flag makes me feel happy because I know that my family is safe and no one is going to hurt us. Third, it makes me feel angry. I am angry because I don’t understand why we have to fight. Why can’t we be friends? I don’t like when people fight. Fourth, it makes me feel like all the people in the military love me and I want to do the same for them by joining the AIR FORCE. In conclusion, the American flag makes me feel sad, happy, angry and like I’m loved. 

Youth Essay Winner

At the District 1 awards event, Sophia presented Commander Denton with her “We love our veterans” artwork, shown at right.