Lindsey, of Mililani, won a $100 savings bond and will have her essay published next year along with the other top 10 essayists in a book, "What Freedom Means To Me: Inspiring Words from Our Nation's Children."

"A lot of students had very strong opinions about freedom," said Mia Toschi, a Weekly Reader editor. "We created this contest this year as a way of getting children to think about their freedoms as Americans."

"Lindsey's essay was absolutely at the top of the entries," Toschi said. Fifth-grader Kevin Young from San Diego won the top prize. "We've been highlighting Lindsey and Kevin particularly. I thought they were both very insightful, poignant essays."

Entries were judged by Weekly Reader editors on clarity, creativity and language mechanics. The contest was in support of Operation Tribute to Freedom, a Defense Department program that encourages American appreciation and support for overseas military. With the help of the Pentagon, each soldier stationed in Iraq will receive one of the 8,000 students' essays.

Lindsey's achievement comes during a tough time for the Rettke family. "It's been a challenging year for all of us," said Lindsey's mother, Lisa. First, Matthew Rettke, who is stationed at Tripler Army Medical Center as a pediatrician, was deployed to Afghanistan on April 13. Then Lindsey's 9-year-old brother, Devin, was diagnosed with diabetes on May 24. The Army granted Matthew Rettke a short emergency medical leave, but he returned to Afghanistan on Father's Day and won't be back until spring.

"We're a proud military family even in difficult times, and I'm proud of my husband and my family," Lisa Rettke said. "My husband and I felt good as parents after Lindsey wrote her essay.

"As a military family you always wonder if you're doing the right thing because we move a lot and the children attend different schools. But when your child produces something like this, it makes you feel good that your children do understand and are proud to be a part of the military."

Lindsey said that, in her essay, "I wanted people to know what it felt like when something like war happened in the world and how it can affect a military family."

"I think that when you put an essay out there like that it kind of helps people talk about their life, because when someone writes about how they feel, other people feel like they can also talk about whatever they want to and feel their voices can be heard," said Lindsey, who attends Holy Family Catholic Academy near Hickam Air Force Base.

Her English teacher, Rebecca Olive, said, "Lindsey has, for her age, a unique ability to express herself in a poised, mature way. There are other examples of her writing where she just really makes you feel like you're a part of the piece."

Reach Anna Weaver at aweaver@honoluluadvertiser.com or 535-2455.

Lindsey's essay

There I was, a confused and scared 5-year-old girl, clinging to my dad's leg like Velcro. I didn't want to let go because I didn't know when I would see him again. "Why did my dad have to go to Bosnia?" I asked myself. Our country had just celebrated Independence Day and now he had to leave. As he pulled out of the driveway, I saw a tear roll down my mom's cheek. I hugged her and she told me not to worry. What did freedom mean? I didn't know.

I was 9 years old when my family found out my dad had to go to Kuwait. This was supposed to be an exciting time for my family as we prepared to move to Hawai'i. Once again, my dad packed all his Army stuff, even my favorites like the color-changing flashlight, and his helmet that gave me a headache if I just wore it for a few minutes. As I gave my dad a hug goodbye, his army-issued pistol dug into my chest. Tears rolled down my cheeks, but once again my mom told me not to worry. Does freedom mean taking away loved ones?