"Model" doesn't look very natural and seems too posed and stiff. A tighter crop to eliminate the distracting background and focus more on his emotion would've been more effective IMO.
I am not so sure but wouldnt it be better if you were closer to the subject (removing the shrubs), and bring flowers rather than a flag.. there is already one on the ground.No offence.
I find the vegitation in the bavkground a bit distrcting. If you stood on something and shot down a bit more so the top edge of the fram was the grass line, it would have been stronger. I also think this would have been a whole point higher if it were B&W.