What The Flag Means to Our Kids This Flag Day
Take a moment to read 9th grader John Nasir’s winning essay in this year’s National Flag Day Foundation contest. John attends Katy High School in Katy, Texas.
What The American Flag Means to Me
The American Flag is more than just a symbol. It is the pulse of a nation that is brave enough to dream. It waves in celebration, it stands in a time of tribulation, and it reminds us that liberty is not given to us, it is earned. Every star, every stripe, the story of generations who believed in something greater than themselves: hope for America.
From the earliest revolutionary battle cries to the quiet moments of unity after tragedy, the flag has been our constant companion. It flew high at Valley Forge, where cold soldiers clung to hope. It marched with the brave in the Civil Rights movement, demanding America live up to its ideals. It was at an all-time high when man first stepped on the moon, which was not just a national achievement, but an achievement of all mankind. The flag has seen our most extreme strife and our greatest victories—and through it all, never faltered.
To Americans, the flag is a personal symbol. It represents the soldier who sacrificed to protect liberty, the teacher who provokes young minds, the doctor who cares for the sick, and the worker who builds for a better future. It represents all hopes sought, all rights guarded, and all voices elevated for freedom. No matter where we may have come from, the flag reminds us that we are one people, indivisible and powerful.
Across the world, the American flag is seen as a beacon—a signal that freedom and justice can be reached. It motivates those who see democracy and it challenges us to aim for the values that it holds. Its red, white, and blue radiate not with perfection, but with perseverance, calling on each succeeding generation to struggle on with the ideals of liberty and equality.
When I gaze upon the American flag, I don’t see a cloth. I see a history yet to be written—by all of us. I feel pride, responsibility, and optimism. The American flag symbolizes the past that has shaped us, the present that challenges us, and the future that beckons us. It symbolizes the unbreakable spirit of America—and it inspires me to be part of the next chapter.
For 250 years America’s children have been taught, and experienced, the lessons of the Declaration of Independence, the Constitution, the Bill of Rights. They have sat in classrooms where the portrait of George Washington greets them each day. At times of threat, they have grown into ready, and willing, defenders of individual freedom and justice.
The U.S. flag is the symbol of a system of government generations of American have revered. That’s why ninth grader John Nasir, and countless other young people can write so movingly essays such as those in the National Flag Day contest.
The seeds of liberty were planted hundreds of years ago. Those roots are deep and strong.
On Flag Day, fly it with pride. Wave it proudly. It’s your most valuable possession.
Comments? Criticism? Contact Joe Rothstein at jrothstein@rothstein.net
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