Twelve students from Columbia Middle School participated in the annual VFW Patriot’s Pen Essay contest. The essay contest encourages young minds to examine America’s history, along with their own experiences in modern American society, by drafting a 300-400 word essay expressing their views based on a patriotic theme chosen by the VFW Commander-in-Chief. This year’s theme was Why I Honor the American Flag.   The winner for Columbia Middle school was chosen by members of the Columbia VFW chapter, Glenn T. Cahoon post 10659. This year’s winner is 6^th grader Brody Fleming, with the runner up being 8^th grader Mia Martinez-Garcia.   Brody’s essay will be submitted to the VFW north eastern NC district competition. Seen below is Brody receiving his 1^st place prize of $50 and Mia receiving her 2d place prize $25 dollars from VFW post 10659 Service Office Leroy Spivey.