Holy Cow. I went to O'Connor a long time ago and was a member of the flag tenders. You would have gotten a strong repremand for that aciton.

I suggest you contact the principle to tell what you saw. Then suggest that some of the VFW people come to tell their stories and show them how and why the flag is handled properly. I know my neighbor, Orby Ledbetter WWII vet and ex POW would be more than happy to get a group together to do it. Or they can arrrange anyone.

Evidently they have never been shown or told how important it is. To this day when I lower my flags from my pole outside they don't touch the ground.

That is just terrible. Had I seen that I would have went and found the nearest teacher or administrator right away to insure these kids were IDed and proper disciplinary action taken. I thik a VFW group would be more than willing to have a show-and-tell, living history, speaking day at that school. Or any school for that matter.

Reading this reminded me of  something I heard about a while back. The day our US flag flew from a foreign warship to render honors to us.

USS Winston Churchill was in port over in England when September 11th happened. Of course she immediately put to sea and stayerd there while Washington was trying to figure out what to do. A German warship was also visiting England at that time and the two crews had got together and made friends over the previous days.

Here is a letter that one man's son wrote home about an incident that took place shortly after 9/11...

Dear Dad,

Well, we are still out at sea, with little direction as to what our next priority is. The remainder of our port visits, which were to be centered around max liberty and goodwill to the United Kingdom, have all but been cancelled. We have spent every day since the attacks going back and forth within imaginary boxes drawn in the ocean, standing high-security watches, and trying to make the best of our time.

It hasn't been that fun I must confess, and to be even more honest, a lot of people are frustrated at the fact that they either can't be home, or we don't have more direction right now. We have seen the articles and the photographs, and they are sickening. Being isolated as we are, I don't think we appreciate the full scope of what is happening back home, but we are definitely feeling the effects.

About two hours ago the junior officers were called to the bridge to conduct Shiphandling drills. We were about to do a man overboard when we got a call from the LUTJENS (D185), a German warship that was moored ahead of us on the pier in Plymouth, England. While in port, the WINSTON S CHURCHILL and the LUTJENS got together for a sports day/cookout on our fantail, and we made some pretty good friends.

Now at sea they called over on bridge-to-bridge, requesting to pass us close up on our port side, to say good-bye. We prepared to render them honors on the bridgewing, and the Captain told the crew to come topside to wish them farewell.

As they were making their approach, our Conning Officer announced through her binoculars that they were flying an American flag. As they came even closer, we saw that it was flying at half-mast. The bridgewing was crowded with people as the Boatswain's Mate blew two whistles- Attention to Port- the ship came up alongside and we saw that the entire crew of the German ship were manning the rails, in their dress blues. They had made up a sign that was displayed on the side that read "We Stand By You."

Needless to say there was not a dry eye on the bridge as they stayed alongside us for a few minutes and we cut our salutes.

It was probably the most powerful thing I have seen in my entire life and more than a few of us fought to retain our composure. It was a beautiful day outside today. We are no longer at liberty to divulge over unsecure e-mail our location, but we could not have asked for a finer day at sea.

The German Navy did an incredible thing for this crew, and it has truly been the highest point in the days since the attacks. It's amazing to think that only a half-century ago things were quite different, and to see the unity that is being demonstrated throughout Europe and the world makes us all feel proud to be out here doing our job.

After the ship pulled away and we prepared to begin our man overboard drills the Officer of the Deck turned to me and said "I'm staying Navy."

I'll write you when I know more about when I'll be home, but for now, this is probably the best news that I could send you.

Love you guys.

it's a problem at ALL campuses.  I believe 5th graders take the flag down.  I too have seen them just roll it up in a ball.  Go to any campus around 3pm and see for yourself.  The kiddos just need to be taught.

suggest: gather all flag duty kids in visd and hold a flag ceremony session for next yr, what 1 hr. you say?

Dear CG23Sailor,

That was an awesome letter. Thank you so much for sharing.