Freedom is not free. The price has been high and has not yet been paid in full.

John Shipman, president of the Brundidge Lions Club, said too often the sacrifices that have been made to secure the freedoms Americans enjoy today are taken for granted.

“It often seems like we don’t realize how fortunate we are to have the freedoms that have been purchased for us with such tremendous sacrifices,” Shipman said. “But when the National Anthem is played and hats are removed and hands placed over hearts, that is an indication that Americans will not let those sacrifices be forgotten.”

  This year, the Brundidge Lions have initiated project designed to create a deeper sense of Patriotism among sixth-grade students in the Pike County School System.

“Students at Banks, Goshen and Pike County elementary schools are being invited to participate in an essay competition on the subject of patriotism,” Shipman said.

“Dr. Donnella Carter at the central office, is working with us on the project.”

Because patriotism is a general topic, the students can express, in any way, what patriotism means to them in a 400 to 600-word essay.

“The students will have to give a lot of thought to the definition of patriotism and then decide what it means to them, individually,” Shipman said. “The essay is a way to get them thinking about patriotism and understanding what it means to them and why it is important to all of us as Americans.”

Shipman said patriotism begins at an early age and Lions Clubs around the country set goals to help foster patriotism in students of all ages.

“It is important that we, as Lions, participate in activities and events that promote patriotism and develop leadership skills,” Shipman said. “Each June, the Lions sponsor a leadership conference weekend at Troy University that offers high school juniors and seniors opportunities to develop leadership skills, meet community leaders and foster patriotism.”

The essay competition is made possible by a donation from Jim Whaley Tire and the support is greatly appreciated, Shipman said.

The essays will be judged by a panel of judges made up of educators and veterans. The educators will judge the mechanics of the essays and the veterans will judge the content. The winner from each school will receive $100 and all competitors will receive blue ribbons.

The deadline for entry is October 31 and the winners will be announced November 6. During the Veterans Day celebration, the winning essays will be in print on the editorial page of The Messenger and will be read on WTBF.