JBSA-FORT SAM HOUSTON, Texas –
Soldiers from the Fort Sam Houston Honors Platoon met with a group of fifth-graders at M.H. Specht Elementary School in San Antonio Oct. 18 to teach them the proper way to fold, raise and lower the “Star-Spangled Banner.”
“It is important to know how to fold the flag,” said Heather Hansen, from the school's physical education department. “Knowing the steps go and how to properly pay respect is something we need to show kids who volunteer to put up and take down our nation’s flag.”
Four member of the caisson took two hours out of their schedule to hold a training event with more than 30 students at the request of the school and by Sgt. Major Dave Poist, U.S. Army Medical Department G3 sergeant major, who has a child attending Specht Elementary.
“I really respect what these guys at the caisson do and what they are bringing to the kids here,” Poist said. “A lot of these kid’s fathers, grandfathers, uncles, aunts or somebody they know have fought in a foreign land. So I want them to know to put their hand over their heart and to know the symbolism behind that flag.”
Before they started teaching the kids how to properly fold the flag, they had to do give a little impromptu quiz to see how much they knew about the U.S. flag.
“It was an honor to come to Specht and be able to show these students the proper way to fold the flag and render daily honors,” said Staff Sgt. Darren Thomas, Military Funeral Honors Platoon. “These kids are really smart. They know their flag history.”
After the quiz, the kids took turns learning how to correctly fold the flag. The final task of the class was to go outside to the flag pole and properly take down the U.S. flag. The students gathered around the pole with their hands over their heart, standing reverently while the caisson Soldiers rendered honors and lowered the flag, then folded it with precision.
“We really appreciate you coming down and taking the time to show the kids and talk about the basic knowledge of the flag,” Hansen said. “The kids were thrilled to learn this.”
At the end of the class, one last question was asked. What does the flag mean to you?
One little girl stood up while holding the Star Spangled Banner she had just meticulously folded, and said, “It means honoring our country.”