'You're a grand old flag'
Students celebrate Flag Day with songs, poems, soldier's letter
By ROB PRICE THE COURIER-ADVOCATE

PHOTO BY ROB PRICE Six-year-old Harley Horton, a kindergarten student at Vernon E. Wightman Elementary School recites the Pledge of Allegiance during Flag Day ceremonies last week.

BATH - Vernon E. Wightman students celebrated Flag Day Thursday with songs, original poetry and a letter addressed to the students from a U.S. soldier stationed in Iraq.

"The American flag belongs to everyone that has stood and currently stands behind her and believes in her true beauty," U.S. Army Specialist Kevin Jarvis wrote. "From the White House to your schoolyard and classroom, it is important to remember, the American flag is our flag."

Jarvis, the brother-in-law of third-grade teacher Lou- Ann Holmes, has been corresponding with Haverling students through the past school year.

His letter capped a morning ceremony attended by dozens of VEW students sporting red, white and blue hats and waving American flags. Students recited the Pledge of Allegiance and sang the national anthem, "America the Beautiful" and

You're a Grand Old Flag. "

Several third-grade students also read poems they had written for the occasion.

Beautiful flag, hear my voice," recited Christian Webster. "The wind is my tears. The stars are your eyes. The moon is your pretty face."

Haverling high school students also celebrated Flag Day with an indoor assembly that reviewed the evolution of the modern American flag, from its earliest form with 13 stars to the current 50-star Old Glory.

President Woodrow Wilson in 1916 proclaimed June 14 as the U.S. Flag Day, and the U.S. Congress established National Flag Day in 1949.

Unofficial Flag Day celebrations, however, began in the nineteenth century. In 1865, a Wisconsin school teacher named Bernard Cigland, reportedly organized a June 14 Flag Day for his school, encouraging his students to celebrate "Flag Birthday."