Dylan Barrett, who will be a senior at Boardman High School, has been awarded third place in Fleet Reserve Association’s North Central Region’s essay contest. FRA is first and foremost a community of the Sea Services; U.S. Navy, Marine Corps and Coast Guard personnel. Following is Barrett’s essay---
      On the surface, the United States flag stands for the thirteen original colonies and the fifty united states. However, to understand the real meaning of the flag, you have to search much deeper than the surface. You must look closely at every single person who lives in our nation to truly understand our flag.
      The America flag represents all 330 million citizens of this great country. It united each individual as one solid body. No matter your political views, your race, or your gender, you are an American. Every citizen has a vital contribution to what makes our country great.
      The flag stands for the great leaders of this nation. It stands for every government official who has ever served to make America a nation to be proud of. It represents the people who founded the principles for which this country stands on.
      The red, white and blue flag stands for the brave people who served our country. The men and women who risked their lives to defend us, the citizens of America. They put the needs of the whole nation above their own. They are some of the bravest and most selfless people that the world has to offer. They are truly heroic, and that is what the American flag stands for.
      The flag represents the dedicated workforce of our country. Whether you are a doctor, an educator, or anything in between, the flag stands for you. The flag recognizes the hard-working citizens who provide immensely for the rest of their community. Citizens who construct their community, protect their community or serve their community in any way they can, the flag stands for you.
      Our flag stands for the great citizens of our country. It stands for every leader, every soldier, and every worker who calls America their home. Our flag represents the greatest country in the world.
      That’s why I can always say I am proud to call the United States Flag my own.