National Geographic Explorer invites you to enter the Flag of Freedom contest, presented by the Pentagon and the U.S. Army. Just write an essay of at least 100 words that answers the question: What does the American flag mean to me?

Deadline: April 30, 2004

Who May Enter: Legal residents of the United States (currently living within the continental U.S.) who entered grades 3-6 in the 2003-2004 school year may enter. Only one entry per person.

The winner will receive a trip to Washington, D.C., for a family of four, will meet Pentagon officials, will be made "mayor" of the Pentagon, and will be an official representative at Flag Day ceremonies.

Winners will be chosen on or about May 7, 2004, and notified by phone, mail, or e-mail by May 14, 2004.

• Write an essay of at least 100 words about why the American flag is important to you.
• On the back of your essay, clearly print your name, address, and telephone number as well as a statement, signed by both you and your parent(s) or legal guardian(s), that the essay is your own work.
• Mail your essay to
     Fran Downey (Room M-2412)
     National Geographic Explorer
     1145 17th Street N.W.
     Washington, D.C. 20036-4688.
• Contest begins January 1, 2004, and all entries must be received by April 30, 2004. Entries become the property of the Sponsor, National Geographic Society ("NGS"), and will not be acknowledged or returned.
• Representatives of National Geographic Explorer will judge entries based on literary merit, originality, and creativity.

NO PURCHASE IS NECESSARY, AND A PURCHASE WILL NOT INCREASE YOUR CHANCES OF WINNING. This Contest is VOID IN PUERTO RICO AND WHERE PROHIBITED. Decisions of the judges are final. Contest consists of two rounds. NGS is not responsible for late, lost, stolen, mutilated, incomplete, illegible, misdirected, or postage due mail. Employees or contract employees of NGS and its affiliates, subsidiaries, agents and their immediate families, or persons living in the same household of such individuals, are ineligible. All entries may be used in public information programs. The winner will receive a trip to Washington, D.C. Approximate retail value of trip is $5,000. Transportation and hotel accommodations will be selected at the sole discretion of the Pentagon and the U.S. Army. Certain meals will be provided. Tips, fees, taxes, and all personal expenses are the sole responsibility of winner. Winners are required to sign an affidavit of eligibility and liability release within 15 days of receipt of prize notification. Noncompliance or return of prize notification as undeliverable will result in disqualification and selection of an alternate winner. NGS reserves the right to substitute prizes of equal or comparable value. By participating, participants and their parent(s) or legal guardian(s) agree to release, discharge, and hold harmless NGS and its respective partners, affiliates, subsidiaries, advertising agencies, agents and their employees, officers, directors, and representatives from any claims, losses, and damages arising out of their participation in this Contest or any Contest-related activities and the acceptance and use, misuse, or possession of any prize awarded hereunder. Participants and their parent(s) or legal guardian(s) also agree (a) to be bound by these Official Rules; (b) that the decisions of the judges are final on all matters relating to the Contest; and (c) if he/she wins that NGS may use the winning essay and each winner’s name, photograph, likeness, and/or voice in any publicity or advertising relating to the Contest or future promotions of National Geographic without compensation or approval (except in Tennessee and where prohibited by law). If for any reason the Contest is not capable of running as planned, due to infection by computer virus, bugs, tampering, unauthorized intervention, fraud, technical failures, or any other causes beyond the control of NGS that corrupt or affect the administration, security, fairness, integrity, or proper conduct of this contest, NGS reserves the right, at its sole discretion, to disqualify any individual(s) who tamper with the entry process, and/or to cancel, terminate, modify, or suspend the contest. NGS assumes no responsibility for any error, omission, interruption, deletion, defect, or delay in operation or transmission; communications line failure; theft or destruction of or unauthorized access to Contest entries or entry forms; or alteration of entries or entry forms. And NGS is not responsible for any problems with or technical malfunction of any telephone network or lines, computer online systems, servers or providers, computer equipment, software, technical problems or traffic congestion on the Internet or at any Web site, or any combination thereof, including any injury or damage to participants’ or any other persons’ computers related to or resulting from participation or downloading any materials in this Contest. All federal, state, and local taxes are the sole responsibility of the winners. For names of winners send a self-addressed, stamped envelope to Flag of Freedom Contest; National Geographic Explorer; 1145 17th St. NW; Washington, DC 20036, (Residents of Vermont need not include postage.) This Contest is subject to federal, state, and local laws and regulations. Certain restrictions may apply. Prizes provided by the Pentagon and U.S. Army. To be excluded from lists used by NGS to mail contests or sweepstakes, submit request in writing to NGS at above address.