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Fausey School celebrates Flag Day

Date: 6/20/2012

June 20, 2012

By Debbie Gardner

debbieg@thereminder.com

WEST SPRINGFIELD — No one needed to lead the students at John R. Fausey Elementary School in the national anthem during their Flag Day ceremony on June 14.

When instrumental strains of the "Star Spangled Banner" began, a group of fifth graders quietly started singing the words. Soon, the chorus had swelled to include the 600-plus students, teachers and invited city and state dignitaries gathered on the lawn.

"They sing the National Anthem every day," Principal Susan Mulvaney told Reminder Publications. "Still, I wasn't sure if they would start without someone leading them."

That spontaneous display of patriotism, coupled with student's enthusiastic response to the day's speeches and flag-folding demonstration seemed to reinforce State Sen. James Welch's declaration that "Fausey School is the most patriotic school in West Springfield."

Welch was among the dignitaries, including State Rep. Michael Finn, Mayor Gregory Neffinger, Town Council Vice President John Sweeney, At-Large City Councilor Robert Mancini, Director of Veterans Services James Berrelli and Veteran's Council President Dr. Frederick Conlin, who joined students for their annual Flag Day ceremony.

Welch reminded students that the flag was "a symbol of our rights, like to come to Fausey School every day."

He challenged them to think about that message and what it means during summer vacation.

"Make sure every day you try to look for a flag and when you do [see one], think about all the men and women who protect our freedoms," he said.

Neffinger talked to the students about the American flag being a symbol of the nation's unity, common beliefs and freedoms, drawing a comparison to the kinds of ideals that the assembled young people — who ranged in age from first to fifth graders — might relate to.

"What is your flag?" he asked students "Would it be your school, your family, your sports team?

"We should all hold our flag up high so people know what we believe in," he said.

Mulvaney told her students a little about the history of the day's ceremony, explaining the first Flag Day was arranged by a teacher, BJ Cigrand, in Fredonia, Wis., on June 14, 1885.

The date was the 108th anniversary of the adoption of America's official flag.

"That teacher brought students together to celebrate the birthday of the 'Stars and Stripes.'" Mulvaney said. "He started something, and his idea really caught on ... children all over the country are pausing today to learn a little more about our flag."

Berrelli explained how Flag Day became a national event, how to properly honor, display and store a flag and what every fold of a flag symbolizes as it is transformed from a large rectangle into a small triangle.

He said once folded, the shape looks like the tri-corn hats worn by Gen. George Washington, Capt. John Paul Jones and their soldiers, who began the fight for the freedoms they all enjoy today.

The ceremony ended with everyone singing "God Bless America" and waving flags provided by the West Springfield Veteran's Council.



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