Meadowlark First Graders receive American flags on Presidents Day
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Meadowlark Elementary first graders are pictured with their American flags given out on the recent Presidents Day by the Chinook Lions Club. No one is really sure when the flag giveaway began but senior club members think the tradition began at least 40+ years ago. First graders at some surrounding rural schools also receive the flags from the Chinook club. Bridgette Brennan, left of students in the photo, and Tammy Edwards, not pictured and still recovering from an illness, are the first grade teachers this year. Lion Sam French presented flag information to the students and Lions Jay Eslick and Jack Mattingly also helped with the annual program.
Five Chinook Lions Club members visited Meadowlark Elementary in Chinook and handed out 20 American flags to first graders on Presidents Day last Monday. For some local families it's a third generation receiving the desktop stick flags. Lions Club members say handing out the flags is a 40-plus year tradition. Some surrounding first graders in country schools also receive the flags. First grade teachers at Meadowlark this year are Brigette Brennan and Tammy Edwards. Mrs. Edwards is teaching a split class of first and second graders this year.
Before the flag handing out ceremony and the end of program class photo, a Lions Club member presents a short program about the American flag. The presenter this year was Lion Sam (Samantha) French who is also the Director of the Blaine County Museum. The program, with photos, covered topics from the history of the flag to the flag code-the latter included proper ways to display the American flag and some "do's and don'ts" regarding the American flag.
Sam showed a photo of the first American flag and quizzed the students about how it was different than the flag hanging in their classroom. The youngsters told the her the first flag had fewer stars, "Because there were only 13 colonies when the first flag was made. Now we have fifty states and fifty stars on the flag." Referring to a photo showing a painting of Betsy Ross and George Washington as Betsy sewed what appeared to be the first flag, Sam cautioned students that it is a common belief that Betsy Ross sewed the first flag there was no historical proof of who sewed the first American flag. Interestingly, the kids recognized the male figure in the painting as George Washington.
Sam next explained the Star-Spangled banner was the "national anthem" and related the story of Francis Scott Key who was inspired to write the national anthem after seeing the U.S. soldiers at Fort McHenry raise a huge American flag that was "still there" after a crucial victory over the British forces during the War of 1812. That large flag is now displayed in the Smithsonian Institution in Washington, DC.
Then the students were challenged to think about flag etiquette also referred to as "the flag code." After some explanation about the flag code, Sam showed slides and asked the students if the flags in the pictures were displayed properly. They agreed the American flag should always be at the top of the pole where it is displayed. They learned the American flag should not be part of a decoration on clothing or some other decorative item, should not touch the ground or anything below it and if left up at night, it should be lighted.
The students watched a video of the proper way to fold the American flag in to a triangle. Most of these aged kids have likely never seen a flag folded and they seemed fixated as two individuals folded and explained what they were doing. The folding of the flag into a triangle dates back to the Revolutionary War and mimics the tricorns (hats with brims pinned up on three sides) favored by many American soldiers of that era. A triangle folded flag symbolizes the bravery and service of the soldiers who won our country's freedom from the British.
Finally, it was time to pass out the flags to each student. Jay Eslick, the current President of the Chinook Lions handed out the flags. There was lots of flag waving and discussion, among the students, about where they would display this new treasure when they got home.
And then it was time for the students to pose with their new flags. The term "like herding cats" came to mind more than once. Finally the students were all in one place and mostly facing the photographer. Check off another elementary school experience for these future citizens.
