Write a commentVolney Elementary students recently celebrated the American flag and what it means to each of them.
During the school’s Flag Day ceremony, students recited the Pledge of Allegiance, as they have done each morning of the school year, and heard both the story of the flag and the ceremony’s dedication from event emcee and sixth-grade teacher William Cahill. The dedication was an honor given to community member James M. DeCare, whose great grandson, James, is a sixth-grade student at Volney.
Students heard the story of DeCare being drafted into the U.S. Army, his military police work and time spent at his military post in San Francisco, California at The Presidio. He was discharged in 1973, after two years of service, returned to his family and worked at the Nestle’s chocolate factory in Fulton.
“Remember, the flag does not fly without our veterans,” Cahill reminded Volney students.
Several students then shared their “What the Flag Means to Me” essays. Carson Murray said the flag reminds him of how bravely soldiers have fought for freedom, while Laila Allard sweetly said she has appreciated the sacrifices her uncle has made being in the U.S. Army.
“I want to be in the Army so I can be like my uncle,” she said. “I love my uncle. He helps my nation. He makes freedom for us. He makes me and the world a better place.”
Second-grader Elizabeth Blake provided details about the flag, while peer Izabel Flood said it was important for her to help people realize that the flag is more than just colored fabric.
“I just think of how grateful I really am,” Flood said. “Because of our American men and women who have served and died, or are still serving today, we are very safe and free and have many choices in life. I would like to thank all of those people today, right in this moment.”
