The Lisbon fifth grade winners of “What the Flag Means to Me” essay contest were announced Monday, Jan. 12.

This year, there was a three way tie for third place, meaning five winners were announced. Winners received a cash prize. All fifth graders at Lisbon also earned dilly bars for participating.

Briggs Hofmeister’s essay moves on to the regional competition, for a chance to compete with other writers on the topic. All five essays will also be read at Lisbon’s Memorial Day activities in May. Winners this year were:

Third place: Beckam Horman

I never knew that the 13 stripes on the flag represent the 13 original colonies. I learned that and a lot more while learning about the flag.

Bravery is one thing the flag means to me. Soldiers risk their lives to fight for our country, while leaving their families at home. First responders show bravery each day when they risk their lives to save others.

Another thing that the flag symbolizes is determination. We show determination by never giving up until we reach our goal. We reach our goals by working together. When we work together, we achieve our goal.

The last thing the flag represents is freedom. Our constitution gives us the right to believe whatever we want. We have freedom to do what we want and aren’t forced to do anything.

I will always treat the flag with respect. We learned not to let the flag touch the ground which I will never do. Another thing I won’t do is use the flag as clothing. Lastly, I will never fly the flag upside down unless there is an emergency.

As you can see, the flag means a lot to me. I hope it means a lot to everyone else, too.

Third place: Damon Phillips

Our flag is important to people in our country, and it’s important to me as well. There are many things I think of when I see the flag.

The first thing that comes to my mind when I see the flag is my home. I was born in the United States of America. When I see the flag, I think of my family members who served in the military. I had relatives in the army and in the navy.

The flag also means liberty. We have rights, such as the right to protest and the right to protect ourselves. We can also choose the jobs we want.

Another thing the flag symbolizes is bravery. Our soldiers fight, no matter what, for our country. The country’s local authorities also risk their lives for other people.

I also think of freedom when I see the flag. We can believe what we believe in. We also have the freedom to choose if we want to get an education and can choose what we want to study, too.

Honor is another thing the flag represents. We honor the soldiers who sacrificed their lives for the flag on Memorial Day and Veteran’s Day. This is the flag etiquette. To respect the flag I will not let the flag touch the ground. I will display the flag from sunrise to sunset. I will make sure that the flag is always lit and is always displayed in good weather. I will always put my right hand over my heart when the flag comes by. At the right times, I will fly the flag at half staff.

These are all the reasons why the flag is important to me. I will always respect the flag and what it stands for.

Third place: Annika Stensland

We should all be proud to live in the United States. I’ve learned a lot about the flag, like did you know that an 18-year-old designed the current United States flag? Now that I have learned so much about the flag and its history, the flag means freedom, bravery, and honor.

Freedom is one thing the flag means to me. I’m so happy that everybody in America can say, feel, think, and wear what they want. I’m also glad that we have helped other countries gain freedom.

When I see the flag, I think of bravery. The soldiers that fought to save the flag were, in my opinion, some of the bravest people alive. The fire fighters that helped save people during 9/11 were probably scared, but they kept going so they could help people.

Last, the flag means justice. The soldiers that fought for us just wanted to do what was right. They fight for justice every day of our lives because they know what they are doing is right.

There are many ways that I will treat the flag with respect. Even though I’m a girl, I will never wear the flag as clothing. I will make sure that I won’t store the flag where it can get dirty. I like to draw but I will never ever vandalize a flag by drawing or writing on it. I will make sure that when I pass a flag, I will put my right hand over my heart.

As I’ve said, the flag means freedom, honor, and bravery. I’m proud to be an American and I will show my pride by displaying my flag and by showing the flag the respect it deserves.

Second place: Charlee Wallace

We should all be proud to live in the United States. We should all respect the flag and what it stands for. I think the flag means bravery, freedom, and respect.

To me the flag symbolizes bravery. When I think of the flag, I think of bravery because soldiers fight for our country. Soldiers are brave enough to go fight for our country, and they know they might not come back.

To me the flag symbolizes freedom. When I think of the flag, I think of freedom because we have freedom of speech. A lot of other countries don’t have freedom of speech or other freedoms like we do. I feel proud to know we have freedom as Americans.

When I think of the flag, I think of respect. I respect all of the soldiers who fight for our country. I respect the flag because I have a lot of family members who are in the military or were in the military.

I can show respect to the flag by following flag etiquette. I will not let the flag touch the ground. I will not draw or make marks on the flag. I will not use the flag as clothing or decoration.

As I’ve said, to me the flag stands for bravery, freedom and respect. I am proud to be an American, and I will show my pride by displaying my flag and showing it the respect it deserves.

First place: Briggs Hofmeister

I recently learned how important the flag is to America. I always had respect for the flag, but now that respect has grown, and my eyes have been opened in attention to the flag. To me, the flag stands for togetherness, our nation, and family.

To me, the flag means togetherness. We all stood together when we wanted to become our own nation. We always stand together even now. Although we are all our own states, we are all united together as one.

Another thing that the flag means to me is we are our own nation. I see we are our own nation and we can do what we want. We are not ruled by other nations and we can fight back against someone who wants to rule us because we are free.

The flag shows me family. I see my family, like my grandpa, both of my great grandfathers, and my cousin, all of which served in the military. I see all of the people in the military who aren’t my family because my family protects me, and so do all the people in the military.

I will always show respect to the flag by following flag etiquette. I will not let the flag touch the ground. I will not use the flag as a cover. I will not use the flag as clothing. I will not draw or make marks on the flag.

As I said, to me the flag stands for togetherness, our nation, and my family. I am proud to be an American. Next time I see the flag, I will stand up and put my right hand over my heart and be proud. I am free because I am an American.