The mission of the National Flag Foundation is to teach pride and respect for the United States flag. For the past three years, the foundation has conducted an art and writing contest for elementary school students. This year, the contest asked children across the country to illustrate what the flag means for generations young and old. Connect for Kids chose the winners in the 4th grade category. We're proud to present them on our site.

by Jessica Jary, Our Lady of Sorrows, Farmington, MI

The flag has touched everyone
From my great grandfather to me.
It is hanging, bright and boldly,
upon my family tree.

It helped us through the Depression,
and all the wars we've fought.
It is special and beautiful,
Patriotism is what it has taught.

From thirteen stars to fifty,
From Washington to Bush
It has made its mark in history,
It has showed us all so much.

Many flags have been burned and torn,
But that's not really what matters.
It's the symbol that makes us all part of one,
Its our flag that holds us together.

When Betsy Ross sewed our first flag,
It was a raggedy little quilt.
But it has become the symbol,
O'er the country we have built.

by Robert Wilcox, Jacksonville Country Day School, Jacksonville, FL

1. Take a pinch of battles and wars.
2. Add in thousands of patriotic soldiers.
3. Pour in food colors read, white, and blue.
4. Stir in 1 Betsey Ross.
5. Take 7 tbl. of red stripes.
6. Take 6 tbl. of white stripes.
7. Grab 50 white stars and stripes, with navy backgrounds
8. Put in a cup of liberty.
9. And but in 2 bags of freedom.
10. Mix it all together, and preheat oven to 13 colonies.
11. For best results add in some peace.
12. Put in the oven for about 15 minutes, and you get the American Flag.

by Estee, Our Lady of Sorrows, Farmington, MI

F—freedom for everyone, everywhere.
L—loyal
A—always representing our country in good and in bad.
G—grand and proud.

Freedom is what the flag represents with pride and honor.
Loyal is for how we treat our flag with respect.
Always representing our country is for showing how strong and great we are.
Grand and proud is for the blood our fellow heroes who lost their lives or risked them for our country and our freedom.

by Marianna Anquiano, Our Lady of Sorrows, Farmington, MI

The flag, touching all generations
a flowing chain that never stops
gong on and on
like the stars and stripes
on our patriotic flag.

The flag, touching all generations
our ancestors who flew our flag
from all over the nation
the same stars and stripes
are still here, floating gracefully
over the United States.

The flag, touching all generations
our ancestors flew its patriotic colors
red, white, and blue
still alive and flowing.

by Danny Cheiken, Jacksonville Country Day School, Jacksonville, FL