When judges of the AMVETS National Essay Contest read O’Donnell’s essay, they saw a national champion.

O’Donnell’s entry into the 2020-2021 AMVETS Americanism Essay Contest with the theme — ‘What do I think of when I see the American flag?’ — kept rising through regional and statewide competitions and was recently awarded as the national winner.

The portions of the flag remind him of his grandfather and the many others who have experienced war.

“When I see the red of the stripes, I see the blood shed by more than a million Americans who have represented our country at war,” he wrote. “In 1968, my grandfather went to Vietnam as an American soldier. During the year he spent there, he witnessed this bloodshed firsthand. I can’t imagine this experience and the agony of what he went through.”

Photos submitted to Times Observer AMVETS Past National Commander Gary Fry presents the national first-place award for the AMVETS Americanism Essay Contest to Brady O’Donnell of Sheffield.

“When I see the white of the stars and the stripes, I think of the wide-open cloud-covered skies where we have the freedom to roam and explore in America as we’d like,” O’Donnell said. “Numerous soldiers who came before us granted us the rights of this freedom through the sacrifices they made.”

“I am protected not only by our brave military on a daily basis, but by the rights represented by the flag,” he said.

“When I see the field of blue, I think of the immigrants who crossed the seas that surround us to gain religious freedom as well as the promise of a better life under a fair government,” O’Donnell said. “Many heroes protect these waters each day to keep every dreaming American safe.”

“The colors make me think of justice, freedom, protection, and allegiance all combined to create patriotism to the greatest country in the world,” O’Donnell said. “I see the American flag as a symbol of patriotism for our country. Its stars and stripes are easily recognized around the world, and millions, perhaps billions interpret it in different ways.”

VFW ESSAY

O’Donnell also entered the 2022-2023 Voice of Democracy Essay Contest through the Sheffield VFW Post #8755.

O’Donnell advanced to the state championship with that essay.

As a result, he was invited to and attended the Voice of Democracy recognition banquet in Gettysburg, meeting winners from other districts and state and national VRW representatives.

His essay — responding to the prompt “Why is the Veteran Important?” — finished in the top 25 in the state out of more than 2,500 submissions.