For the Reporter
The Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 2995 recently awarded first place to Auburn’s Skyler Verzosa for his Patriot’s Pen Essay Writing Contest entry, “What patriotism means to me.”
Verzosa’s piece was chosen among entries from different schools for the top district honor.
Verzosa, 14, is an eighth-grader at Holy Family Catholic School in Auburn.
With his recent achievement, Verzosa hopes his winning piece attracts the favor of the judges at the state level so he can reach the national competition.
Every year, VFW organization hosts the Patriot’s Pen competition, a youth essay writing contest that engages students in grades 6-8 in researching and writing about a selected topic, helping them to form an understanding and appreciation of the service of the country’s veterans.
Verzosa is the son of Jude and Therese Verzosa. Jude is as a physician at St. Elizabeth’s Hospital in Enumclaw. Therese is a registered nurse at St. Joseph’s in Tacoma.
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The following is his winning piece:
PATRIOTISM
By Skyler Verzosa
Patriotism. “Love and Devotion to one’s own country.” Throughout the years, people have shown great patriotism to their own country. When one feels true patriotism, they feel like they need to stand up for their country. They feel the need to protect it, or serve it.
A very good example is in the War of 1812, battle of Fort McHenry. With the Revolutionary War still fresh on their minds and in their hearts, the diminutive force of Americas stood fast in their fort, so little compared to the hulking British Army. Commander of the American forces, Major Armistead, kept the faith and the love of America alive in his men’s hearts. Standing together, bombs falling everywhere around them, they held firm against the British onslaught. Those where what our nation’s national anthem, The Star Spangled Banner, is actually based about.
I sometimes imagine how strong patriotism was that day. I sometimes imagine what it would be like if I was Major Armistead speaking to my wavering and almost shattered troops in my fort. I envision what it would be like not to see the British, but to hear them from the pounding of the bombs and the shouting of their men, with only patriotism keeping us together.
What would have happened if we deserted? What would have happened if we lost? How many more American lives would have been lost due to our failure? I cannot describe what horrors the United States could have suffered then and in the future.
How do we view patriotism today? Do we feel it while we say that historic song, The Star-Spangled Banner, at a baseball game? Do we feel it at school every morning when we hold our hands to our hearts and say The Pledge of Allegiance? Do soldiers feel it after they win a battle to keep us safe from harm in Pakistan or Afghanistan? Patriotism should be felt anywhere. In truth, I think patriotism is what is holding this country together. If not for patriotism, how would the country be today? Wars could have taken for a worst, there would be no African-American or women’s rights, or we wouldn’t even be our own unique country.
Patriotism means to stand from, believing in your country, under God, with liberty and justice for all.”
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VIDEO LINK:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S2NbdkcQbPY&feature=em-share_video_user
