Ridgecroft Students Learn True Meaning Of American Flag

by Cal Bryant - February 7th, 2007 - Ronaoke-Chowan News-Herald

AHOSKIE - We see them everywhere….flying proudly in the breeze from stainless steel poles, standing still on a speaker’s podium and draped across buildings.

The flag of the United States of America is a part of our proud heritage, a simple piece of red, white and blue cloth emblazoned with 50 stars.

But as much as we take this American symbol for granted, there is one group of youngsters at Ridgecroft School who have figured out the connection between this colorful material and the sacrifices made to fly it over the land of the free and the home of the brave.

On Tuesday, Ridgecroft’s first-grade class was presented with an American Flag which flew on Jan. 1 over Forward Operating Base Shield in Baghdad, Iraq. The gift came from the 550-member international military and civilian force stationed in that war-torn country.

It is encouraging to see that many of our children are learning some of the important lessons of our nation, and what it takes to remain free. My thanks to Denise White, Charlotte Riddick and headmaster Elton Winslow.


Elton Winslow, Helen Early, Daniel Lane And Denise White

“We are proud of our first-graders, along with the entire family here at Ridgecroft School, who have shown they are proud to salute the men and women who have put themselves in harm’s way in order to protect the freedoms we enjoy each and every day,” Ridgecroft Headmaster Elton Winslow said.

They have a right to be proud.