What does the American flag mean to students and teachers?

For eight- grade teacher Nancy L. Hogle, the American flag is an all-encompassing representation of what freedom is all about.

“To me, the American Flag is synonymous to freedom. This freedom allows me to teach about God and my religion every day at school. It allows me the freedom to live my faith without fear of persecution, to allow my chosen career, to live where I chose, to speak out against social injustices, and it grants me protection under the law. It reaffirms the service of my father and my husband as veterans of foreign wars.

Hogle’s student Haley Fiedler shares her own sentiments about the flag, saying: “The American flag is a symbol of our country. It is also a symbol of liberty and freedom. America started as colonies seeking government without foreign control.”

Four of teacher Jessica Teicheira’s sixth graders expressed their own thoughts and feelings about the national emblem of the world’s most powerful country. Below are their words.

“To me, the American flag symbolizes our freedom. The American flag will always be part of our lives because we are free and we are independent. I respect the flag because it shows us who we are,” said Marni Matuska.

Classmate Alyssa Nunes thinks about relatives and their sacrifices for their country when she talks about the flag. “The flag, to me, is a reminder of our freedom and my relatives who have fought in war. I thank all of these people who sacrificed their lives for us. They are the true heroes of America.”

For Andrew Oseguera, the meaning of the flag is bundled up in one word: Hope. “The American flag means a sign of hope to me,” he said.

Justice and freedom are the words that come to mind when classmate Ana Perez thinks about the meaning of the flag. “The American flag is a sign of justice and freedom. It unites all of us as a country. No one argues about its significance. It tells people we are one nation and one community. It gives Americans hope and peace,” he said.