Staff Writer
The Young Marines recently held a ceremony at Limestone Community School to retire and replace worn U.S. flags.
The Young Marines were invited by Brent O’Neal, LCS mid-level history teacher. LCS teachers planned their curriculum to match up with the event, teaching proper flag etiquette as well as the history of the U.S. flag.
Aroostook Republican Photo/Andrew Dyer
Craig Fay, Young Marine commanding officer, is shown speaking to Limestone Community School students, detailing the importance of the U.S. flag and explaining their duty to respect the flag during the recent flag retiring ceremony
During the ceremony the entire student body of LCS made a semi-circle around the flag pole to watch as Young Marines took down the flag, folded it, cut the stars from the stripes and burned the sections separately, in special burn barrels which had been put in place by the janitorial staff at LCS.
Also on hand at the patriotic ceremony in spite of the bitter cold, were local V.F.W. and American Legion members.
Craig Fay, Young Marine commanding officer spoke to LCS students of the importance of the flag in their lives, and their duty to the flag.
“Everything that you are, everything that’s important to you is in that flag,” said Fay.
Fay also detailed the importance of proper disposal of the flag, cutting the stripes from the stars and burning them, to protect the flag from being taken by enemies.
A new flag was raised, which had previously been flown in Iraq, and will now remain at LCS.
After the flag which had originally been in place at the flag pole had been destroyed, a number of other worn flags were carried to the Young Marines by local youth, for disposal.
Young Marines taking part in the ceremony were Sgt. Joe Norton, LCPL Bonnie Corey, LCPL Freeman Short, LCPL Lydia Short, PVT Erica Corey, PFC Jasper Tamburello, PFC Olivia Engstrom, PFC Dade Engstrom and PFC Glen Kleinert.
Aroostook Republican Photo/Andrew Dyer
Members of the Young Marines are shown marching out of Limestone Community School to begin their ceremony, looking on are in behind from left: Craig Fay, Eric Corey and Ray Hildebrandt.
Aroostook Republican Photo/ Andrew Dyer
Diane Norton, Young Marines XO is shown addressing students at Limestone Community School.
Aroostook Republican Photo/Andrew Dyer
The Young Marines are shown folding the retired flag at Limestone Community School before it is burned.
