Ashwood students get a lesson in flag etiquette

(Update: Correcting that flag was stored on shelf)

Students at Ashwood Elementary School northeast of Madras got a special lesson in flag etiquette Wednesday morning.

They were joined by members of the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 12421 in Madras, who showed them the proper way to fold a flag, along with the meaning behind each of the 13 folds.

The vets said later they thought the kids enjoyed the lesson, and hope they can instill a love and respect for the flag that some of them feel has faded over the years.

“Maybe if we can get just a little bit into the kids’ minds, they can take it back to their home, and maybe others, like the adults in the family, will start showing respect for the flag again,” District 10 Commander Floyd Leach said.

Teacher Melanie Friend said, “We contacted the VFW because we had several old flags at the school needing to be retired and we wanted it done properly and respectfully.” The children also got to read to the visiting veterans.

NewsChannel 21 asked the students why they thought it was important for the vets to teach them the proper etiquette involved with the daily flag-raising and lowering duty.

“They just want to teach you how to do it, and fold it when we get the flags down from the school,” said one second-grader.

“It’s more than a flag,” said another student. “You know, I have a lot more respect for it — the folds and all.”

This is not the first classroom these vets have visited with this important lesson — and they say it won’t be the last, either.