Peter N. Daut
2001 Grand Prize Winner
Scottish Rite Paul R. Kach DeMolay Prize Americanism
Essay Contest Winner
11th Grade and Above Category
Yorba Linda Chapter
1525 Crowley Way, Placentia, California 92870

Given our nation's recent tragedies, these prize-winning DeMolay Americanism essays take on a special significance.

Fluttering in the breeze, the American flag has been a symbol of our nation for over 200 years. Like her country, she has evolved through a number of designs, yet her glory remains intact as an emblem of our national heritage and patriotism. Throughout history, the brilliance of that flag has appealed to inhabitants of every nation. In a land blessed with an abundance of natural resources, ingenuity and free enterprise flourish. From sea to shining sea, the "Stars and Stripes" continues its valiant legacy for millions of diverse people, gloriously representing our American ideals of "liberty and justice for all."

Why, then, does it seem sometimes as if the respect toward the flag has faltered? Why is it that a national tragedy is needed to revive our deep sense of patriotism and love of the flag? Have Americans tended to take the flag's sanctity and the liberties we enjoy as Americans for granted, failing to realize the courage of so many who have fallen to bequeath to us this heritage?

All around us, in many of our institutions and places of business, a flag stands in reverent solemnity. In every classroom, silently standing guard, it appropriately hangs as proof of America's commitment to education. There, daily, children stand and recite the "Pledge of Allegiance," though too many students remain indifferent to the flag's true meaning. Similarly, the flag is displayed in many churches. As guaranteed by the First Amendment of the Constitution, freedom of religion has been one of the strongest focal points of American liberty. Of course, each of our other freedoms—speech, press, and the right to bear arms—are also used under the protection of the flag.

"Old Glory" is a reminder of our duties as a responsible people to be good citizens and uphold the law. Also, it reminds us of our obligation to vote, conducting ourselves properly when an outcome is reached. It encourages us to provide assistance to those less fortunate in order for them to reach their full potential. It prompts us to be tolerant toward the rights, beliefs, and customs of others, showing them the respect they deserve and which we deserve in return. In addition, it teaches us to keep our faith in this unique system of government. It strengthens our determination to keep our country's cities and national parks clean and safe, so that each of us can enjoy the splendor of America the beautiful.

Furthermore, "Old Glory" reminds us of the heroism of our forefathers. Their insight that "all men are created equal" revolutionized the world, paving the way for the expansion of democracy and justice. They installed a constitutional system of government with checks and balances as a way of assuring that the people remain the basis of all power. Without the foresight and dedication of these men, our country might not exist today.

Peter Daut is perhaps the only DeMolay who has won the Paul R. Kach, 33°, DeMolay Prize Americanism Essay Contest twice (1999 & 2001) on both the regional and national levels. His proud parents looked on as Peter recently received his 2001 national award of $1,200 presented on behalf of the Supreme Council by Ill. Peter H. Jantz, 33°, Personal Representative, Valley of Santa Ana, California.

That's why our flag is a living symbol of the Declaration of Independence, the American Constitution, and the Bill of Rights. Men, like Washington, Jefferson, Hamilton, Franklin, and countless others, played key roles in the formation of America. Remembered in our history books, their inspiration will never cease. Little did they know that their "experiment in democracy" would later become the powerhouse of the world, setting the example for nations everywhere.

The last of the Seven Cardinal Virtues of the International Order of DeMolay is Patriotism. While each of our DeMolay precepts is beautifully instilled in the minds of young DeMolay men, there remains a uniqueness in the strong realization patriotism inspires. Its lesson is as great: that we, as citizens of our wonderful country, must represent the best our nation has to offer. Consequently, we must be willing to defend the flag's dignity in times of crisis, such as we face so brutally today. Perhaps that is why the most solemn attribute of our flag is the remembrance of those, citizen or military, lost in battle. After all, our liberties didn't just spring into existence. Rather, they were obtained at great sacrifice.

Many times I have been taken back by the anguish and heartache my grandfather's generation endured. Since that conflict was many years before my birth, I can only imagine their struggle in preserving the honor of the flag. By honoring it, we are paying tribute to profound souls, commemorating the gallant courage and sacrifice that cut so deeply into their lives. In the midst of the battlefield, where chaos reigns and rationality is scarce, the flag remains unwavering, proving that come "dawn's early light, our flag is still there." Whether it is Fort McHenry, Normandy, Khe Sanh or New York City, our symbol of democracy has proven herself time and again that she is capable of enduring the ultimate test.

Americans have had dark days when they saw states secede, a great depression devastate the land, and turbulent demonstrations shake her foundation, but our flag only emerged stronger and more valiant. These moments of distress were temporary, only to be followed by the unity of our people and the triumph of our flag. Presidents, Senators, and Congressmen have come and gone, and yet "Old Glory," the Constitution, and the American people are still here.

The obligations we have taken as DeMolays go hand in hand with the obligations of living worthily under the presence of our nation's flag. We, the youth of our nation, are the future of America, and we must realize the glorious legacy of our flag. Together, we must continue to honor it by informing others of the significance it bears. In explaining to our young children that the "Pledge of Allegiance" is meaningful and necessary, we are teaching them the importance of demonstrating good citizenship.

We must also carry ourselves with dignity, showing pride in our nation, a country where justice is upheld and humanity embodied. Created for a government "of the people, by the people, and for the people," the American flag retains its glory and distinction as a representative of the greatest constitutional republic the world has ever known.

Every June 14, Flag Day, we pay tribute to the enduring sacredness of our banner, displaying it in our homes and communities. And with each dawn of another day, she continues her duty as she always has, displaying the symbolic power of her cloth, a streaming testament of the success of the United States of America. So I say to all the young men and women of my generation, when you see the flag, with its thirteen red and white stripes and fifty stars, look beyond its direct appearance and remember what it truly represents.