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Community Corner

Jacob Licker Loves His Country

He is patriotic every day, he says.

Name:  Jacob Licker

School:  Sixth-grader at Lower Macungie Middle School.

Accomplishments: Jacob plays the alto saxophone with the Jazz Band and is participating in the school play “Thoroughly Modern Millie."  In the play, Jacob  sings with the school chorus and dances a bit.  In his spare time, Jacob likes to read, go for bike rides, hike and camp.

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Key to Awesomeness:  Jacob received an award for his essay on the theme “Does Patriotism Still Matter?” in December 2010 for the Patriot’s Pen contest sponsored by the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 9264 in Macungie.  This contest was only open to students in the sixth thru eighth-grades.

“Patriotism is devoted love for one's country,” wrote Jacob.  “Our country is what gives us freedom of speech,” he continued, “freedom to choose your own job, and more.”

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Jacob would like to someday attend law school and become a lawyer like his cousins in Washington, D.C.

“I show patriotism every day in my life,” he said.  “Every morning I say the Pledge of Allegiance.”

Jacob is a second-class scout with Boy Scout Troop 71 of Macungie, and was one of two boys selected to read his essay to the troop and the VFW representatives at a scout meeting.

“In the war in Iraq people are dying for our country,” Jacob wrote.  “Those people who are out there fighting for our country are living proof of patriotism…”

Chuck Jackson and Donald Howe, VFW Post 9264 representatives, along with Ladies Auxiliary representative Janet Hunt, presented Jacob with a certificate and award for his achievement.

“I bet we all know someone who fought for us and maybe gave up there[sic] life for us...,” Jacob concluded.  “When you think of this question, think of them….Patriotism still matters.”

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