Essay Contest at Valley Forge Elementary
Published 8:00 pm Wednesday, May 8, 2019
Contributed Photo It was standing room only in the library at Valley Forge Elementary as Principal Leann Carr introduced the members of the DAVA to the fourth and fifth graders.
Contributed Photo DAV member Frank Murray is shown presenting 1st place winner Lillian Andrews with a commemorative flag along with her certificate and prize money which were presented by Debbie Williams.
Contributed Photo Pictured are Frank Murray, DAV member Unit 17 Elizabethton, Becky Murray, Adjutant DAVA Unit 17, Debbie Williams, Treasurer Unit 17, Mabel Rogers, Legislative Chair Unit 17, and Chris Pippin Senior Vice Commander Unit 17.
Contributed Photo Lots of excitement as 3rd place winners Gianna Difillippo and Jasey Hyatt get their awards!
Contributed Photo Frank Murray presents 2nd place winner, Lydia Lovelace with her flag as 1st place winner Lillian Andrew looks on.
The DAVA (Disabled American Veterans Auxiliary) sponsored an Essay Contest for the fifth grade at Valley Forge Elementary and presented awards to the winners on Tuesday, May 7. The title for the essay was “What I Love About America” and students submitted essays about what they loved about America with emphasis on telling about family members who have or are now serving in the military. The Auxiliary sponsors this contest to raise awareness among young people of the sacrifices made by those who serve in our military and promote Americanism and pride in our country. The first place prize of $50 went to Lillian Andrews; second place prize of $30 was given to Lydia Lovelace; and a tie for third place resulted in Gianna Difillappo and Jasey Hyatt both receiving $15 prizes.
DAVA members Frank Murray, DAV member Unit 17 Elizabethton, Becky Murray, Adjutant DAVA Unit 17, Debbie Williams, Treasurer Unit 17, Mabel Rogers, Legislative Chair Unit 17, and Chris Pippin, Senior Vice Commander Unit 17 announced the winners in the Essay Contest. Each of the DAVA members spoke briefly about the contributions their husbands had made while serving in the military. Becky Murray told about her husband Frank’s Army service which included 18 months on the ground in Vietnam and his being awarded the Bronze Star for his service. Debbie Williams told of her husband Keith’s service both in Vietnam and during Operation Desert Storm. Mabel Rogers kept the stories going when she told of her husband Sam’s service in Vietnam and his being wounded and receiving two Purple Hearts for his sacrifice. Chris Pippin ended the narrative with the story of her husband Larey’s almost 30-year service in the U.S. Navy, Army and National Guard. All the ladies stressed how much their husbands loved America and encouraged the students to talk to parents, grandparents and anyone else they know who has served in the military and thank them for their service.
The students were very attentive and at the completion of the presentation they came up one by one and thanked Mr. Murray for his service and shook hands with him and the DAVA ladies.
The winning essay:
Why I Love America
By Lillian A. Andrews
1st Place Winner
Did you know that America is one of the most lenient when it comes to freedom? Our country has many advantages. Three of the reasons that I love America are our amazing government, our military, and our beliefs.
To begin with, I love America because of our government. In many other countries, the government is extremely strict. Here, we can go outside wearing or saying what we please, we are allowed to bear arms, and believe in anything. In other words, we have freedom.
Also, our military is one of the lifebloods of our country. There are multiple parts of the military. All do an important part, and I respect all. My families’ military history goes back to the Civil War. My grandfather was in the Army and Air Force. To explain, if we didn’t have military we would not survive.
Lastly, America is my favorite country because we have freedom of religion. Most people believe in God, but some do not. If they don’t believe in God, nobody can change that by force. In other words, we are very lucky.
In conclusion, we are considered very lucky to be American. I love being an American because we have great governments, our military and our freedom of belief. After thinking about it, I realize that America would be like heaven for other countries.
