Heard students reminded of veteran’s sacrifices

A flag-draped table on the stage allowed the 408 students at Heard Magnet School to connect the dots of freedom, patriotism and sacrifice.

As the American flag was removed and folded 13 times, Lt. Col. Mikael Ash, Commander, 1st Battalion, 145th Aviation Regiment, Fort Rucker, explained the significance.

The flag, he said, is folded slowly and deliberately because such an event occurs only once in a soldier’s life – at his or her death.

A ceremonial Veteran’s Day program on displaying the colors and the proper folding of the flag served as a reminder to all that we owe veterans, Ash said, and drove home the meaning behind the Nov. 11 school holiday.

“It is very important, not to forget what soldiers do,” said Sgt. James Bustamante, who is over the Color Guard. “This was definitely important for them to see.”

Wide-eyed kindergarteners gathered around the flag pole outside and watched as their newly-presented Stars and Strips was hoisted. Ash’s son, Colton, is a member of the kindergarten class.

“It’s perfect for this age to understand what it’s like to live in America,” said 2nd Lt. Lemija Allen, a member of the Color Guard.

Quoting Gen. Douglas McArthur, Ash said it was the soldier and not the reporter who ensures freedom of the press; a soldier, not a poet who gave us freedom of speech.

“If you run across a veteran, please just tell him ‘thank you,’” Ash reminded students. “That’s all they’d like to hear.”

Kindergarten student Ethan Edwards said the ceremony made him think about being a soldier.

“I thought about when I was a kid, I acted as a soldier and dressed up like one,” the 5 year old said.

The ceremony was truly a learning experience, as students, teachers and staff said they didn’t know the significance of the 13 folds when removing a flag from a soldier’s coffin.

The folds, respectively, represent or serve as a tribute to: life; our belief in eternal life; veterans departing our ranks; our weaker nature; our country; where our hearts are; the armed forces; mothers; womanhood; fathers; God; eternity; and closure.