Students learn from Marines
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The student body of St. Mary School concentrated their eyes on the hands of veterans from Marine Corps League 1436 Monday as they folded the stars and stripes while also staying attentive to what each fold symbolizes.
The school invited veterans of Marine Corps 1436 to their school to teach students about the importance and symbolism the flag has for this country.
"This is our way of hopefully instilling American history and respect for the flag among the kids," said Dave Smith, commandment of Sgt. Bob O'Malley Detachment 1436.
The Marine Corps League shared the meanings behind each fold of the American flag and stressed why it is important to respect the flag.
"Never let the flag touch the ground and never wear the flag as apparel," said Smith to students.
Smith asked the students in attendance many questions about what each part of the flag represents and students answered what the colors mean, why the stripes are important and what each of the 50 stars represent.
"This is especially good for the young students to learn respect for the flag," said Carson Urban, 14, an eighth-grader who is also a member of Boy Scouts. "Boy Scouts has already taught me some of these things but I like that everyone else is learning."
After the Marine Corps League demonstrated the proper way to fold the flag, students had a chance to try it out for themselves, while learning again, what each fold means.
"My dad's a Marine so I liked learning a lot," said Chrissy Kerenyi, 10, a fifth-grader. "I really loved the flag-folding ceremony."
Principal Susan Rauch said it's important that the students understand how the country became what it is today given the sacrifices veterans have made to protect it.
"I was really proud of our kids for knowing what each part of the flag means," said Rauch. "It is also important to learn how to properly fold the flag."
The Marine Corps League will be visiting other area schools this week leading up to Veterans Day on Friday.
"We will be going Washington and Putnam elementaries on Thursday," said Smith. "We are just trying to reach out to as many of the kids as we can."
Smith also said the League has already been to Waterford Elementary and Lowell Elementary last week.
Other facts about the American flag were shared with the students, like how to properly dispose of a worn flag.
Tammi Bradley, marketing and community relations director for St. Mary School said she wanted the students to honor the veterans.
"Most importantly, I hope the kids learned about respecting the symbol of our country and those who have made sacrifices to protect it," she said.
Smith also made note of the Washington County Veterans Day Parade that will be this Friday beginning at 9:45 a.m. The parade will meet at the corner of Fourth and Butler streets and will go through downtown Marietta until it reaches Muskingum Park. There will then be a special ceremony will begin honoring all veterans.