9-11

On 9-11 Washington Elementary always pays tribute to those who laid down their lives for our freedom and they have an assembly out in front of the school where they invite local officers of the law whether it be police, fire and soldiers to come.  Then they line up with students in between them (students are picked that have a parent serving in the armed forces) and the Captain of the Flag Crew gets the flag and gives it to the first person in line who then salutes the next person in line and passes it on.  The Flag Crew Captain follows the flag carefully from a distance and then at the end receives it back to take it to the flag pole to unfurl it and raise it.  Well, Ben was asked at the beginning of the year by Mr. Ivie to be on the Flag Crew which meant that he would have to go to school everyday early to help put the flag up with 3 other boys and stay after school to take it down.  Little did I know that he was the Captain.  I was very impressed with him and how seriously he took his responsibility.

 
He let one of the other boys hook the flag on but then he traded him places so that he could raise it all the way and then lower it to half mast in honor of those who have fallen on that day 13 years ago.

Then the 3rd grade...David's grade...sang God Bless The USA.  It was great.  I am so grateful for my freedom and that my kids understand the importance of it.