The Martha McCraw Chapter National Society Daughters of the American Revolution has a long history of organizing an American History Essay Contest.
They recently held the 2022 edition of the contest where students grades 5-8 were invited to submit an essay on the topic:
“November 11, 2021, marks the 100th anniversary of the dedication of the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. Imagine that you had a brother who lost his life on the battlefields of France during World War I. You and your family attended the November 11, 1921, dedication of the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Washington, D. C. Describe what this meant to you and your family. Why is it important to remember those who gave their lives to serve our nation?”
Ninth graders were asked to select and write of an American Revolution Patriot.
The DAR and the 2022 Essay Winners will be featured in the annual Pilgrimage Parade 10 a.m., Saturday, April 30.
For more information about the National Society Daughters of the American Revolution. www.dar.org.
Local essay winners were 5th grade, Grace Buckner; 6th grade, Kimberly Ball; 7th grade, Eli Kendrick; 8th grade, Natalie Peralt; and 9th grade, Braydon Thomas.
Each of their essay can be read here:
The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier
By Grace Buckner
5th Grade
My brother, Eddie died in The Great War on the battlefields of France. We did not know where he was buried. We cannot even go see his grave. I hear my mother crying, wishing she had not sent her only son off to France to be a soldier. Father tries to comfort her, but comforting her does not bring him back.
One day Father tells me that we are going to Washington, D.C. to see the dedication to the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier from the Great War on November 11, 1921. When November 11 finally came, we went to Arlington National Cemetery to see the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.
When we got there, a lot of people had gathered. There were some people crying and some hugging each other. I looked at Mother~ she was crying. I watched a tear slowly slide down her cheek. Then I realized something, my brother was never ever going to come back to us. He would be gone forever. I hugged Mother and cried in her chest. Why did he have to die? I thought. I felt as though my heart had been ripped in two. Many people at the dedication gave speeches. We sang many hymns. A man played the taps. It was very loud. When I saw the casket of the soldier, I thought, That could be Eddie. I smiled thinking over all the memories I had shared with him. Everyone said the Pledge of Allegiance and sang “The Star-Spangled Banner.” We saw President Harding and his wife. I looked at Mother, and this time she was smiling. I knew she would be all right.
She was around others who might have lost sons, husbands, and fathers. It comforted her which made me glad to know she was happier now.
It is very important to remember those veterans who lost their lives in The Great War, which is also known as World War I. They fought for others and their country. They made the ultimate sacrifice for freedom.
The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier
By Kimberly Ball
6th Grade
lt was a hot summer day, I was in my room putting together a puzzle when I heard the unforgettable screams of my mother. I rushed down the stairs to see my mother and father crying at the front door listening to the frightening words of the officer” I am so sorry to inform you, but your son Jack has been killed in action in France.” When I heard those words I couldn’t move, it wasn’t real it couldn’t be real. It had only been a few short months since Jack had left. That hot summer day on July 16, 1916 will haunt me forever.
A few months passed by and we had to plan the funeral, when we did it was traumatizing. I felt so incomplete without Jack there with me by my side to comfort me. When the funeral ended I was sad, we went home and got an invitation to go to the dedication of the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. We only had a year until we could go. I got shivers down my spine knowing they were going to do the 21 gun salute. Then I felt proud that he was worthy enough to be that important to be that honored in such an outstanding way. I knew the next few short months would be hard without Jack but then I knew I would have to be strong for my mom and my dad. I also knew that the months would also be full of information about my father and his reading about the Tomb of The Unknown Soldier. I didn’t care though I wanted to know everything about the ceremony as much as I could just to have facts about it.
Months passed and it was finally the day before the ceremony and I was so ready to be there and hear them honor Jack and all of the other soldiers that were unknown during the war. Mother had made a very pretty dress for me to wear to the ceremony and I couldn’t wait until I got there to see the tomb.
The next day we got up early to head to the place where the tomb was. When we got there I realized that it would be way harder than I thought it would be to go there. There were people crying everywhere. People praying for their loved ones and talking to their family members. It was a hard first start of the day watching people have a hard time getting over their loved ones that had passed during the war. I knew some people there who were friends of Jack. I ran up and hugged one person whose name was Violet. Jack and Violet were best friends; they were here for him.
Later the General had come out and talked about the honors of all the people who died in the war. He had said that he wanted them to be greatly honored by the Tomb so that is why he invited most of us. Later after what had seemed like an eternity of him talking about the honors and stuff they did the part that scared me the most. They finally did the 21 gun salute and other soldiers were walking in patterns. My mother had said that
those were the 21 steps they always took to honor them. In those moments when they did the salute I felt honored to have Jack as my big brother. I knew that he would always be in my heart right there by my side always. I also knew that I would do anything for him to be there by my side again. I knew though that there was no possible way. After the gun salute the general that had worked with my brother came up to us and said that he was greatly honored that he got to work with such an amazing young man. I felt proud of Jack knowing that he did so much for us when he was alive and that he died doing something not for himself but for other people and that he was doing what he loved. Later that day we also had other people who Jack had worked with come up to us and say that before he died Jack had given something to them to give to us since he couldn’t. It was Jack’s dog tags that he had promised us before he left that if he didn’t make it home that they would receive his dog tags somehow. They had also said that Jack said that he wanted them to go to me for me to protect them. I couldn’t speak knowing that Jack wanted them to go to me for me to protect them. Easily enough I took them and said that I would always protect them with my life. That day meant so much to me and it always will.
Later when we got home from our long day all of Jack’s friends were there to throw us a surprise party. We shared what happened at the memorial. It was hard talking about how we had felt there. It wasn’t that entirely that bad talking about it for me but my parents were crying the whole way through.
We had had a hard last couple of months with everything going on but we had made it.
Jack and everything that had happened will always be remembered by my family and the world.
The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier
By Eli Kendrick
It all started in 1912, when my older brother William went into the war. We all told him we respected his decision to go into the war but nobody really wanted him to. The only reason he went to the war was because he couldn’t get into any colleges and wanted a respectful career. William never imagined himself as a soldier and the truth is he was scared of the French soldiers. He would read about the French soldiers in the paper and become frightened of them, we all knew he was scored of them too. Mom, Dad, my sister Helen, me, and even the dog were frightened of them too.
When he first left I became depressed and missed him. Everything at the house reminded me of him. He would send us letters in the mail and they would cheer me up because
they would let me know he was still alive and that he was safe. We received news after almost seven years of him being in the army that all soldiers would return home soon. It also stated that there would be a few more missions. We were all very excited that he would be returning home soon. On the other hand we were also worried because we hadn’t gotten a letter from him in a while. More time went by and we were all very excited for him to arrive. It was the day he was supposed to arrive bock home.
We waited hours for him but he never got there. The next day we looked in the paper and it said if one of your family members was in the special forces and hadn’t returned yet they were probably lost in traffic or had unfortunately passed away in the
war and were not able to be identified. This really hit my family hard. We waited another week for him to arrive but he never did.
At this time they also announced in the paper that the war was far deadlier than everyone had first realized. A few days later they sent out another letter stating that if one of your family members that was in the special forces and had not arrivedvhome by now, they were setting up a monument tomb for the unknown soldiers that died serving the country.
We went to the monument to pay our respects to William and the other soldiers that lost their lives in the war. It was a large white tomb with soldiers carved into the sides of it. When we got there we saw families from all over the country who had lost loved ones just like we had. It was then that it really settled in that we would not ever see William again and this really hit my family hard.
When we got home we were all still grieving. William was always such a fighter and we never thought for even a minute that he would hove not survived the war. This completely broke our family. Helen went to live with her boyfriend and his parents in Georgia. My father become very depressed and started drinking a lot. My mother began staying out very late and would do anything to avoid coming home. We got rid of our dog because it reminded us of William. Our house become a wreck and we struggled to keep up with the bills. Then there was me. All I did was sit in my room and either cry or write in my journal for hours on end. Writing about William would make me think about all the good times we had with each other. I would havevnever thought that the death of my brother could have been as catastrophic to my family as it was. It is important for me to remember the good times I had with my brother because without those memories the bad memories and the destruction of my family would be for too great to handle. Every year I go back to the tomb to pay my respect to him and leave him my journal of memories. We should remember him and other people like him because they chose to serve and protect us. Without people like them we would not be able to live in a safe and peaceful nation.
The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier
By Natalie Peralta
The day I lost my brother in the war was one of the worst days of my life. I was only l3 years old when we lost him… It started off like any other day, father went to work at the factory while I stayed home with my mother. It was around noon when I was helping my mother wash the clothes. Mother and I finished up so we headed outside to go check the mail.
We opened the door and looked at how beautiful of a day it was. The sun was out with beautiful big clouds. I headed down the pathway while mother stood at the porch. I go and open the mailbox and reach inside. I then grab a letter. Hmm, I wondered what this could be. I close the mailbox and head to the porch to hand the letter to my mother. I then hand her the letter.
She says it’s from a casualty assistance call officer. I noticed as she said that her face became pale. I’m not sure why but I had a feeling I was going to find out soon enough. She slowly opened the letter as I could see she was shaking a bit. She takes the letter out of the envelope and reads it without telling me what it says. She drops the letter and I see tears forming in her eyes.
I pick up the letter quickly with so many thoughts running through my head wondering what it could be. I started to read it but halfway I froze once I saw my brother’s name. No, I thought this can’t be true. There’s no chance that my brother died, I thought. I felt the warmth of tears roll down my face. It seemed as if that beautiful day had turned all gray. The sky that once had a big bright sun had faded away and those once big beautiful clouds have now withered away into the darkness. I look at my mother as she comes toward me and hugs me. I can’t remember for how long we were there standing and crying. It was like time froze and I was in a bad dream and I just needed to wake up and all of this never happened. It’s not true, I say as I pull out from the hug. It can’t be. He can’t die, I say he can’t as I run to my room. I was devastated. How could my brother die?
A couple of days have passed and I still can’t believe he’s dead. Mother and Father both were taking it rough. I mean who can take it easy after you’ve lost someone so close to you. Mom had put pictures of him everywhere in the house. It was hard not to cry with reminders of him everywhere.
Never would I have thought that the day my brother got drafted at only 22 years old on June 5, 1917 would have been the last time seeing him. Out of all the people I thought why him, why did it have to be my brother. I always knew there were high chances of my brother being drafted but never thought I would lose him.
A year later after the passing of my brother, my family had decided to attend the dedication of the Tombs of Unknown Soldiers in Washington DC. My family and I arrived at the ceremony. It was so important for us to attend it because it was a way to finally say goodbye. It felt like we needed to go so we could end this chapter of our lives. To finally let go of everything but of course not to forget. Almost like the way to finally say goodbye to him. Important to give thanks to all those we have lost and to thank that we are here today right now living. It was important to be here today because even though we have been through so many challenges and changes in our life we have to face our fears and let go.
As we were approaching we saw lots of soldiers in unifom1s. We saw many graves being put down. It was heartbreaking to be there. All these people have sacrificed their lives to fight for us. For them, we need to be thankful that we are here today and able to be free. Most of these people are unknown but it doesn’t mean we need to forget what they have sacrificed for us. We need to always remember because without all these people who put their life on the line for us.
Who knows where we would be now. Also, to be grateful for all of the brave people that have lost their lives in this tough battle, including my brother. For them, we can live a better life. They fought for us so we didn’t have to and we need to thank them for that with all we have. Freedom does not come free or given to us. We pay with our close loved ones’ lives. Today is the day we move on and to remember these strong and brave people. To remember my brother who has sacrificed his life for us to live better days…
An American Patriot
By Braydon Thomas
Knock Knock Knock. Oh, hello there. Come inside, the storm out there is rather nasty. I’ll prepare you some soup. You may sit next to the fire. door shuts So, what brings you out here? There is hardly anything out here to do. explains
Ah, so you came out here looking for any remnants of Alexander Hamilton? Sorry to disappoint you, but you will find no such thing out here. However, I do know a great deal about him and would be more than happy to share his story with you, if you’d like. nods Well then, I shall tell you what I know.
Hamilton’s story starts in the British West Indies on January 11, 1755. Hamilton’s parents were Rachel Fawcett Lavien and James Hamilton. Rachel, the mother, was a British and French Huguenot descendant, and James Hamilton, the father, was a Scottish trader. Hamilton had a rough childhood. His father walked out on him while he was young, causing the family to be impoverished. However, Hamilton didn’t let that hinder him. He got his first job at 11, working as an accounting clerk. Tragedy struck again not long after he got his job. His mom died of illness at the age of 38. Despite the loss, Hamilton managed to impress his employer and continued working as hard as he could to earn money. During his time as a clerk, Hamilton was exposed to many things, such as international commerce, the importing of slaves, and learned about the money and trade business. Hamilton’s boss was so impressed with him that he gathered other businessmen to help him send Hamilton to America for a proper education.
When Hamilton arrived in New York, he enrolled in King’s College and started his learning. However, Hamilton’s attention drew towards political involvement. American colonies were on the brink of a revolution, and Hamilton wanted to help. He wrote a political article defending the Patriots’ against pro-British Loyalists in 1774. Hamilton declared himself a self-made man and left King’s College before graduating to join with the Patriots in their protests against British-imposed taxes and commercial business regulations.
Hamilton joined the New York Provincial Artillery Company (NYPAC) in 1775 and fought in the battles of Long Island, White Plains, Trenton, Brandywine Creek, Germantown, and Princeton up until 1777, when he was promoted to Lieutenant Colonel of the Continental Army. During his fight for American independence, he caught the eye of none other than General George Washington. question Yes, Washington did make Hamilton his personal assistant and trusted adviser. For the next five years, Hamilton used his vast writing skills to compose Washington’s most critical letters and reports on strategic reform and restructuring the Continental Army.
Hamilton married Elizabeth “Eliza” Schuyler on December 10, 1780. They had a strong relationship and had eight children together despite the fact that Hamilton had one affair with a different woman. One year later, Hamilton was bored at his desk and convinced Washington to allow him to fight on the battlefield. Hamilton led the charge against the British in Yorktown and came out victorious. After the British surrendered, two major negotiations were had in 1783: the Treaty of Paris and two treaties signed at Versailles. These treaties ended the American Revolutionary War.
During his time as Washington’s adviser, Hamilton realized Congresses’ weaknesses, with the main one being Jealousy and resentment between different states. Hamilton believed it stemmed from the Articles of Confederation. He left his adviser post in 1782, and set out to establish a strong central government for America. He joined the U.S. Army in 1798 and was appointed Inspector General and Second in Command while America was gearing up for a potential war with France. Hamilton’s military came to halt however when America and France reached a peace agreement in 1800.
Hamilton completed a short apprenticeship and started practicing in New York City. Most of Hamilton’s starting clients were British Loyalists who continued to pledge their allegiance to the King of England. question Ah, good question. See, in 1776, British forces took control of New York City, causing most of the rebels to flee the area. The British Loyalists needed protection, so they took shelter in abandoned homes and businesses. comment Yeah, it is sad that the British took over other people’s houses. Anyways, when the rebels returned and found that Loyalists had stayed in their houses or damaged their property, they tried to sue them for compensation. Hamilton defended the Loyalists. There was one case in particular that changed the court system forever. Hamilton had to tackle the case “Rutgers versus Waddington”. That case created the judicial review system that we use today. After he had taken on close to 50 trespassing cases, the Trespass Act was repealed in 1783, allowing rebels to collect compensation from Loyalists that had damaged their home or property. He helped make the nation a far more stable place to live and gave everyone a chance at happiness.
Well, my story’s over and the storm seems to have cleared up. door opens Well, I hope you learned something from all that nods. That’s good. Take care of yourself. If you ever want to come back, you know where to find me door closes.