The Phillip F. Haxel, Sr. Patriotism Award Essay Contest is open to all 3rd, 4th, & 5th graders. You can enter online if your school is not one of the current year's selected sites, or through your school if selected as one of this year's receivers of the "Traveling LAF." Check with your school principal or social studies teacher.

Explain in what ways the U. S. Flag has been and is today an important symbol of our country.

Yes. On the Living American Flag main page. Scroll to the bottom and see the winning essays for the past several years.

The essay committee meets to go over the entries forwarded from the school. A grade winner from each 3rd, 4th, & 5th grades is chosen, and the schools are notified. A "Baton of Patriotism" winner, or overall school winner is chosen at the same time, but is kept secret until the day of the event.

1. The "Baton of Patriotism " winners (one from each of the three selected schools, and one online winner) will be recognized at Camden Yards' Orioles game on Monday, July 27,2009.
2. All finalists receive a Certificate of Recognition. The "Baton of Patriotism" winner(s) receives a plaque.
3. The knowledge that you have begun taking responsibility as a citizen of the United States of America by learning about your Flag - its history, its symbolism and its importance in the lives of all Americans!