It all started in the 8th grade classroom of South Barber teacher Danielle Jewell. Austin Swonger was one of her students who wrote an essay for the local VFW Patriot's Pen contest. Austin probably never dreamed that his patriotic thoughts he put down on paper would earn him first place in the local, district and State of Kansas VFW Patriot's Pen contest. His essay has now advanced to the national level.

The theme of the 2022 national contest is "My Pledge to Our Veterans." Austin read his essay at South Barber's Veterans Day Program November 15. The Newsgram ran his picture and essay following the program.

With his parents Matthew and Jessica Swonger of Kiowa, Austin is invited to attend 'The Veterans of Foreign Wars' awards presentation in Salina January 14. He'll present his essay and accept his "Outstanding Young Spokesperson of the Future" certificate. As the Level Three (State) winner, Austin will also receive a check for his VFW Department of Kansas win in the annual Patriot's Pen essay contest.

Kiowa woman Lenora Dodds said as a state winner, Austin is assured at least $500 and up to $5000. Dodds is President of the VFW Post 5982 Auxiliary. She's been the president/chairman for "20 years or more." For decades she's promoted patriotism in the community in many ways – always selling poppies on Veterans Day and supporting all activities to support veterans. Dodds is known for visiting schools, teaching students all the details of the American flag, including the meaning of the "thirteen folds." She encourages students to enter the Patriot's Pen contest every year.

Austin said, "I still remember Mrs. Dodds telling us about the flag when I was in fourth grade." He used some of those patriotic details in his essay.

Still sharp as a tack, Dodds said she recalls that previous SBHS graduates Ana Wilhem and Chasen Quick made it to this state level as Austin has.

Austin's mom Jessica said, "I cried when Lenora called. I'm so proud of our son." Referring to Dodds' motivating youth with patriotism, "She is so on top of it."

Austin's teacher Mrs. Jewell said, "I am so very proud of Austin and his Patriot's Pen Essay! I knew after reading his first draft that this was an incredibly strong essay, full of heart. It's even more meaningful when Austin reads it himself. It is just awesome that he gets to share his message on such a grand scale." Reading his essay aloud and submitting it in that form besides the written paper is a requirement of the contest.

Dodds said retired SBHS English/Speech teacher Pat Noble judged the essays at the local level. "Between Principal (Brent) Shaffer and Jessica, Austin's good news was posted on social media," Dodds said.

In preparation for writing his essay, Austin said he used patriotic information Dodds taught him about the flag. He also listened to recordings of previous winning papers.

When asked about his motivation for writing such a piece that he pledges to be thankful for veterans; show respect for "our flag,"; and encourage others to thank and respect veterans; Austin told the Newsgram, "I just love how veterans fought for our country and are serving for our community. I was just going with my heart."

Austin's state-winning Patriot's Pen essay follows:

My Pledge to Our Veterans

By Austin Swonger

When you hear the word pledge, what does it mean to you? To me, the word pledge means to make a promise, and I have a few promises I would like to make to our veterans.

I PROMISE I will always be THANKFUL. Thankful that because of the veterans and the sacrifices they made, I live in freedom. If it were not for their selfless sacrifices they made for this country, I would not get the opportunity to stand by my teammates on the sidelines, with my hand over my heart and my eyes focused on the flag as the National Anthem is played to honor all who have fought for this country. I pledge never to take this opportunity lightly.

I PROMISE always to be respectful and to show RESPECT to our flag, with 50 stars representing the 50 states and the 13 stripes made up of red and white representing the 13 original colonies. The red stripes represent Hardiness and Valor. The white stripes represent Purity and Innocence, and the blue background which represents Vigilance and Perseverance. I pledge always to remember the significance of each color and each symbol when I see our flag flying.

I PROMISE to continue to fight for generations to come so that the ones who can no longer fight can also live in "The Land of the FREE and the Home of the BRAVE." When I say "continue to fight," it does not mean to fight in war. Another meaning could be fighting to keep American History alive in our schools so that our younger generations realize what it took and continues to take in order to be where we are today. We must also fight so that the history of our country never dies. Therefore, I pledge to honor the representation of our history and let the lessons within our past remind us how to keep moving forward.

And finally, I just want to say THANK YOU! Thank you, veterans, for not only your years of service in your chosen military branch, but for the continued services you provide for your communities.

I PROMISE I will forever encourage others to THANK and RESPECT our Veterans!