SMETHPORT — As part of its project to educate elementary school students about the American flag and Pledge of Allegiance, members of the Smethport Veterans of Foreign War Auxiliary #2497 presented programs Thursday afternoon for the third and sixth graders at the Smethport Area Elementary School.
Representing the auxiliary were Cheryl Razey, Jo Ann Tanner, Patty Witchen, Carrie “Twerp” Kisko and Gerry Ford.
Flags have already been donated to the pre-kindergarten, kindergarten, first, second, fourth and fifth grades. Auxiliary president Razey opened the brief programs by leading a discussion with the students about the meaning and importance of Memorial Day and its traditional parade.
Kisko defined a “veteran” and why we should thank these members of the armed forces for keeping our country safe. By a show of hands, it was indicated that a large majority of the third graders have family members who are veterans.
“What do we do when the flag passes by in a parade?” Kisko asked.
Answers ranged from “remove hats,” “salute” and “cover your heart,” as the youngsters showed their knowledge of the subject.
The adults added, “We should stand out of respect for the flag.”
Ford read some background information about the Pledge of Allegiance, which he said, “shows Americans are on the same team.” He then led the assembled teachers and students in reciting the pledge.
During the program, auxiliary members explained the symbolic meaning of the flag’s colors. It was noted the canton, the blue field in the upper left-hand corner, contains 50 white stars, representing the 50 states.
The color red expresses courage/bravery; blue represents justice/fairness, while white is symbolic of purity.
Students learned that the 13 horizontal stripes — seven red alternating with six white — recognize our nation’s original 13 colonies.
According to Razey, “the largest American flag, which measured 505′ x 225′, was made in Pennsylvania. It weighed 3,000 pounds.”
Each student received a small flag along with a booklet entitled “Ten Short Flag Stories,” courtesy of the Programs Department of the National VFW.
Since the local VFW Auxiliary initiated this project, other organizations, including the American Legion Riders, Smethport American Legion Auxiliary #138, Smethport’s Sons of the American Legion Squadron #138, Crosby’s John Berg Memorial American Legion Post #976, Crosby’s American Legion Post #976 Auxiliary, have voted to make donations to this project, including flags for the Smethport area High School, if needed.
