Mortenson’s poster had been selected by a local panel of judges as the best presentation originality, artistic merit and portrayal of the contest theme, "Children Know Peace."
Larson said she was impressed by the expression and creativity of the sixth-graders. She went on to say, "It is obvious these young people have strong ideas about what peace means to them. I'm so proud we were able to provide them with the opportunity to share their visions. Sadie has taken the first step to becoming an internationally recognized artist by winning the local competition sponsored by the Ellendale Lions Club."
Mortenson included, "What Peace Means To Me" on the back side of her poster. She wrote, "Peace means people getting along and not being mean to each other. It also means doing kind and helpful things for others without being asked or expecting anything in return. I think by focusing on the good and the positive in people and life it brings out the best in people and all situations. I think if we can encourage and support each other we can make the world a better place."
The local Lions Club presented Constitution booklets to the students before McCornick played "Taps" and the "Retirement of the Colors" was conducted by the American Legion.
Katlyn Olson’s first-place essay read, "I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America, and to the republic for which it stands, one nation, under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. As students, we say these words every day, but do we know what they mean? To me, these words mean that I am honoring those who were willing to die to protect the freedoms that we enjoy as Americans. It also means that there are soldiers willing to go to war to continue to protect our freedoms. I am proud to hang an American flag in my yard.
Veterans Day holds a strong place in my heart. My dad has taught me to honor those veterans that I see and even those that I can't see. When I was little on Veteran's Day we used to take our POW MIA flag and hang it over a chair at the dinner table and in front of it would be a place setting. Then we would say a prayer thanking God for all of the veterans that were currently at war and hoped that they would stay safe. My dad explained that POW MIA stands for Prisoner Of War Missing In Action. To be a prisoner of war means that you went to war and got captured. MIA means that a soldier went to war and is unaccounted for, no one knows where he is, he could even be dead.
I am so grateful for the soldiers that died defending our country, as well as those who did not die but still went to war for us. I would like to thank all the veterans for their honor and willingness to serve. It is hard for me to imagine that anyone is willing to go and lay their life down for me. Thank you for what you have done for me and what you continue to do for our country. I salute you!”
