A flag for every classroom at JCS

Laura Young
ECB Publishing, Inc.

All classrooms at Jefferson County K-12 (JCS) once again have the Stars and Stripes on display, following a special flag ceremony on Friday, Jan. 13, that brought together students, school personnel, county officials and community members. The accomplishment is just one example of what can happen when a need arises and stakeholdersjoin together with common purpose.
When the Jefferson County School District regained control of the local public school system for the 2022-23 school year, the to-do list was undeniably big. Even as effective action has been taking place toward tackling known challenges, ongoing revelations about school operations in the previous few years has resulted in some sometimes surprising add-ons to that to-do list.
It turns out that designating daily time for students to say the Pledge of Allegiance didn't happen last year under the Somerset administration. In addition, while there had at one time been flags in the classrooms, they had disappeared. What to do?
This school year, JCS administrators included time during the morning announcements for students to say the Pledge, even though there were not yet any actual flags mounted in the classrooms. This became a topic of conversation among some community members in the fall as Monticello's Rotary Club and other volunteers were installing banners honoring local Veterans around the Courthouse Circle, recalls Rotarian Michelle Milligan. It seemed to them that this was a need they could address. Milligan took the lead, Sheriff Mac McNeill and Betsy Barfield joined in as donors, and the three of them in short order approached American Legion Post 49 for help in getting the flags purchased and properly installed.
Milligan told the Monticello News, “Being very patriotic, I feel that having a flag in the classrooms is just as important today as it was when I was a child growing up…it’s respect for our country, the United States of America.”
McNeill commented, “I would like to thank our Supervisor of Elections, Michelle Milligan, for spearheading this initiative and to the American Legion Post 49 for partnering with Mrs. Milligan, former Commissioner Betsy Barfield and myself in getting these flags purchased for our public school. As a young student in the 70s and 80s, we had a U.S. flag in every classroom, and we had prayer and said the Pledge of Allegiance every morning. Both of these actions symbolize what this country stands for and remind us of how fortunate we are to be Americans.”
“I think it is important to show our love and respect for our Country,” said Barfield, “and to instill and remind our youth of these values. We must acknowledge and teach our youth to respect our military, as well as our law enforcement, and show our appreciation for their dedication and service to us and our Country. Amen!”
Post 49 Commander Ed Gifford said that the American Legion had contributed additional funds so that 60 flags – enough for every classroom at JCS – could be purchased. They coordinated with faculty member and Navy Veteran Don Burdick, JROTC Lead Instructor Army 1st Sergeant Terry Walker and others at the school; installed the flag holders ahead of the planned flag raising day; and participated in the ceremony at the school.
When JCS's own flag day arrived on Jan. 13, the school's JROTC took on a central role in formally accepting the flag donation and following the protocols for placing them respectfully in each classroom. Students, school personnel, county officials and community members first gathered around the flag flying outside the school's entrance, and the ceremony began.
JROTC members involved in the program included the Color Guard raising the flag, S4 1st Lt. Samiah Washington leading the Pledge of Allegiance, Command Sgt. Major Desmond Whitfield singing “The Star-Spangled Banner,” a welcome from Battalion Commander Lt. Sandy Le, recognition of guests by Battalion Executive Officer Maj. Sharneisa Mosley and special occasion remarks by S1 1st Lt. Hope Steen.
Special guests recognized by Mosley included School Board Chair Gladys Roann-Watson; Ret. Army Chief Kent Watson; American Legion Post 49 Commander Ed Gifford; Army Reserve Veteran Robert Slappey; Post 49 Vice Commander Ken Faircloth, Supervisor of Elections Michelle Milligan and Sheriff Mac McNeill, a Marine Corps Veteran.
Steen described the colors in the United States flag, saying, “The color white represents purity and innocence; the color red represents hardiness and valor; and the color blue represents vigilance, perseverance and justice.”
Walker then recognized Veterans from each branch of the military who were present for the ceremony. “Remember this,” he said to those gathered. “All our great services, our branches believe this, ladies and gentlemen. We are one team and one fight, and we are honored to serve this great country of ours.”
Final remarks were delivered by Shelbi McCall, JCS K-12 Curriculum and Assessment Coordinator.
“We are so appreciative of the community and the collaboration,” said McCall. “We know these kids here are not only our future, they are our today. They are building our community and making Monticello strong for the next 50 years. Awesome job, JROTC. You continuously make us proud. 1st Sgt. Walker, we appreciate your contributions to our strongest CTE program and putting these kids on the right path forward for a bright future. Thank you all so much for coming out. We are honored that you are strong partners for Jefferson County Schools.”
1st Sgt. Walker then sent the ROTC members out in four teams to install the flags across the campus.
The Flag of the United States has 50 stars, one for each state on a dark blue background and 13 red and white stripes representing the original colonies.
The Pledge of Allegiance was first penned in August of 1892 by Francis Bellamy, who hoped that the pledge would be used by citizens in any country. In its original form it read: "I pledge allegiance to my Flag and the Republic for which it stands, one nation, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all."
In 1923, the words, "the Flag of the United States of America" were added. Then in 1954, in response to the Communist threat of the times, President Eisenhower encouraged Congress to add the words "under God." The 31-word pledge said today is set forth in Section 4 of the Flag Code as follows: "I pledge allegiance to the Flag of the United States of America, and to the Republic for which it stands, one Nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all."