ROTC cadet wins patriotic essay contest
Published Oct. 14, 2003
Being patriotic pays off.
On Nov. 10, Air Force ROTC cadet Chris Stone will be honored at a luncheon in St. Louis for winning the Freedoms Foundation at Valley Forge Military essay contest. His essay, entitled "What the American flag means to me and what I would do to defend it," was one of 29 winners, said Carolyn Hallman, director of awards for Freedoms Foundation at Valley Forge. There are four categories that contestants may enter. There were 400 entries this year, she said.
"Each has a specific theme," Hallman said. "The judges looked at how the theme was followed, things like that."
In his essay, Stone described the colors of the American flag and how they represent freedom and unity.
"The service of defending the flag and everything that it represents is an honor I cannot express," he wrote.
Stone said he thinks patriotism is something all Americans should have.
"Many people will tell students that patriotism is some sort of negative, blind loyalty that leads to war between nations," he said. "That's not what patriotism is. Patriotism is a love of country above self.
"It's an act of service toward your countrymen and its progress and protection from enemies abroad as well as within. We as Americans have a duty and moral obligation to serve our country in whatever talents or careers God places in us."
At the awards ceremony in November, Stone will receive a $50 U.S. Savings Bond and a George Washington Honor Medal. He was also told that he will receive honors from public officials including the president, members of Congress and his hometown mayor, he said.
"The local Missouri chapter has contacted officials and asked them to honor him with certificates or awards for his essay," Hallman said.
The contest - which has been ongoing since 1949 - is open to members of ROTC, JROTC and those active in the military, she said.
Stone has been involved in the Air Force ROTC at MU since transferring during Fall Semester 2000. His duties as a cadet have varied, he said.
"My highest position was cadet wing commander, the commanding cadet of the whole cadet wing and its training," he said. "That happened during fall 2002. It was a great experience."
He said he now assists in training briefings for freshman class cadets.
Cadets from Air Force ROTC enter many competitions, Lt. Col. Tery Donelson said.
"We're happy he won. It's a big award" it's national," he said. "We enter a bunch of competitions, so cadets are winning all the time."
Stone said he plans to pursue a career in the Air Force after graduating with a degree in history. He said he also has entertained the idea of running for public office in Missouri after retiring from the military.
"I will be commissioned as a second lieutenant in the United States Air Force in May 2004," he said. "I hope to serve my country as long as they will let me, so right now I am concentrating on being the best military leader I can be. Whatever I can do to serve God and country I will do."