For around 10 years, The American Legion at Post 180 in Great Bend, Kan., has provided flag etiquette and informational sessions to local fourth- and fifth-graders.
Brenda Krueger believes it’s the American Legion Family’s responsibility to ensure patriotism is passed down to younger generations. That’s why she’s so passionate about the flag etiquette program delivered to local elementary schools by Post 180 in Great Bend, Kan.
“I think the reason it is so important to do this is because there’s becoming less and less attention on patriotism,” said Brenda, a member of American Legion Auxiliary Unit 180 and American Legion Riders Chapter 180. “Our future is in the hands of these young people. If they’re not inspired, it’s going to be a long-shot to keep that patriotism.”
The program was started by a local Veterans of Foreign Wars post but then was passed on to Post 180’s Legion Family around 10 years ago. All five area elementary schools are visited, along with Holy Family Catholic School, Central Kansas Christian Academy and Great Bend Middle School. The presentation is made to fourth-grade students, with the exception of one school where fifth graders are responsible for raising and lowering the flag daily.
The first of this year’s took place on Sept. 30 at Jefferson Elementary, while students at Lincoln Elementary hosted the program the first week of October.
Each session starts with reciting the Pledge of Allegiance. And in addition to educating the students on flag etiquette, the program also includes the history of the U.S. flag, including when it was officially adopted by the nation as its symbol, when a flag should be lowered to half-staff and now a flag should be properly retired.
“We talk about the original 13-star flag, and that many attribute it Betsy Ross, but there are other people that were possibly involved and that history is not clear,” said Brenda’s husband Chris, adjutant of Sons of The American Legion Riders Squadron 180 and also a Chapter 180 member. “We have a lot of facts about the flag. We talk about the last two states that were admitted, and the last two states before that. And myself and another person, we bring a big casket flag with us. We wear white gloves, and we fold that flag for them.”
While the flag-folding demonstration is happening, members of Unit 180 read the significance of each of the 13 folds. The Legion Family members distribute a handout with facts about the flag, and this year is giving out a USA 250 flag sticker. The sessions end with questions from the students.
“The questions are usually great,” Chris said. “At some schools we’ll spend 10 or 15 minutes on questions.”
Chris said the children remember the visits by Post 180’s Legion Family. “We’ll see these kids at other things around the community, and they’ll say, ‘You came to my school,’” he said. “It’s a great little thing that we do. We’re just trying to do our part to keep these youngins knowledgeable about the flag.
“While some schools will have units on the flag in American history, I don’t think they have the time to focus on facts and a little bit of history about the flag itself. This goes to Americanism, which is one of our pillars. We just feel it’s important that they have a little bit of information about our flag and what it means to the country. Sometimes we’re the only voice talking about the flag that they hear.”
- Flag