Lions Present Flags To First Grade
Author: Bob Brastrup, Townsend Lions Club
Lions Present Flags to First Grade
Bob Brastrup
Townsend Lions Club
The Learning Stairs at the Townsend Elementary School were alive with excitement when, in honor of Presidents’ Day, the Broadwater County Lions presented sixty-five Townsend first-grade elementary students with an American flag and a lapel pin.
American Legion members Jen Dalrymple and Linda Cousineau demonstrated how to unfold and fold the flag. The students were asked how many times was the flag folded to make the triangle. The voices rang out as they counted 13 folds. The students were stumped when asked why the flag was folded as a triangle. It was explained that George Washington, during the Revolutionary War wore a three-pointed hat and that design was adopted as the correct way to fold and store the flag.
The students learned the stars in the field of blue are always on the observer's left and that the flag is on the left and at the highest point when shown with other flags.
The students learned the 13 red and white stripes represent the original 13 colonies while the fifty 5-pointed white stars in the field of blue represent the 50 states. There was a lot of serious thought when asked what was the last state to be admitted to the union. One brave student correctly stated Hawaii. Hawaii was admitted in 1960. The students were presented with a sheet showing the 27 different design changes the flag has gone through since Congress recognized the first one in 1877.
Jen explained the significance of the colors. Red represents valor and bravery; white signifies purity and innocence; blue represents perseverance, justice and vigilance.
Lion Program Chair Richard Heida stated he considers this presentation to be one of the club’s most important events.
Lions Patti and Don Hanson, Kennedy Vogl, Christina Hartmann, Bob and Sheri Brastrup also assisted with the presentations to the four 1st grade classes.
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PhotoCredit: Bob Brastrup Photo
Image 1 Caption: First Grade Students with Their Flags
Bob Brastrup Photo
Image 2 Caption: Left to Right: Holly Hazlett, Lion- Don Hanson and Torren Dana
Bob Brastrup Photo
