How Do You Show Your Patriotism?
Ask 100 people the meaning of patriotism. You’ll probably get 100 different answers.
We can all agree that showing respect for the flag, our nation and our armed forces is important. But we might not all agree on exactly what that looks like for each of us.
But it would be difficult to question the patriotism recently shown by two young boys in Clay County, Florida.
The 11-year-olds are Isaac Davis and Nate Helmuth. They serve as safety patrols for Coppergate Elementary School in Middleburg, Florida.
One of their jobs is to lower the American flag when school is over for the day. They then fold it 13 times and put it in a safe place inside the school.
On this particular day, a torrential downpour was occurring. They could have waited out the storm or let Old Glory get soaked. But they were determined to do their job right.
Facebook-Friendly Flag Feat
Despite the downpour, the boys went outside. They lowered Old Glory and performed the 13-fold ceremony. Like they always do.
Yes, they got drenched. But they treated the flag with respect. And they protected it from the elements before they went home.
The school posted this note on Facebook: “This is what RESPECT looks like at Coppergate. Two of our safety patrols, Nate and Isaac, quietly went to the courtyard and completed their flag duty in a driving rainstorm. Not only did they bring the flag down, they also stood in the wind and rain and calmly completed the 13 folds.
“Then Nate protected the flag as he walked with honor and respect to retire it for the day. We are so proud of Nate and Isaac for their responsibility, respect, devotion to duty, and love of country.”
An Inspiration for All of Us
Kim Miskowski, the school’s media specialist, was impressed by the boys’ actions.
“They were folding the flag reverently. They were reverent. And they were doing 13 folds… and you know, our country is in a little bit of turmoil… it just struck me.
“When they walked away, they held it… cradled it to protect it. And it was just a moment that was meant to be, I think.”
One boy said, “I felt like it was the respectful thing to do.” The other added, “We have good people in our country, and we should all be good.”
A Child Shall Lead Them
Sometimes it takes a child to show us the meaning of patriotism and respect for the flag and our country.
I don’t know about you. But I feel a lot better about the future of our nation when I see something like that happen.
I’d also love to know what comes to your mind when you think of patriotism. What examples of patriotism have you seen demonstrated that really meant something to you? Or perhaps it’s something you’ve done yourself. Hope you’ll chime in with your thoughts and leave a comment below. We’d love to hear from you.
Thank you for this beautiful example of patriotism and how some young men have been taught to respect our Nation’s flag. It was humbling and beautiful.
I would bet that they had Boy Scout training and knew the importance of the folding.
I grew up at a time when saying “The Pledge of Allegiance” was common in school and respecting and obeying our parents was the norm but my father had real patriotism. He joined the army in august of ’41 and was at Pearl Harbor when it was attacked. Later, he volunteered for a suicide mission to help rid China of the brutal Japanese forces. “Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friend” Amazingly, he survived the war. You can read more at http://marauder.org/marauder.htm
The best way to destroy this country is for good men to do nothing against evil. To bring back patriotism is for good men to speak out against evil and political correctness and the only way to do that is by worshiping God, where all truth originates. The language of God will always defeat evil and will bring patriotism back into the souls of the people and the Nation; of this I do.
I grew up at a time when saying “The Pledge of Allegiance” was common in school and respecting and obeying our parents was the norm but my father had real patriotism. He joined the army in august of ’41 and was at Pearl Harbor when it was attacked. Later, he volunteered for a suicide mission to help rid China of the brutal Japanese forces. “Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friend” Amazingly, he survived the war. You can read more at http://marauder.org/marauder.htm
The best way to destroy this country is for good men to do nothing against evil. To bring back patriotism is for good men to speak out against evil and political correctness and the only way to do that is by worshiping God, where all truth originates. The language of God will always defeat evil and will bring patriotism back into the souls of the people and the Nation; of this I do with God’s help.
Congratulations Boys! Honor, Faith, Character, and Integrity will carry you to the highest places! Adults do not always remember this! Never forget these things! God Bless You!
God Bless these 2 young “men”. They have more sense in their little fingers than all the protesting nincompoops have in their entire being. Pray for Nate & Isaac, they are America’s future-thank God for them. Everyone should take a lesson from these two young ones-respect the flag-Old Glory-she’s our Flag of Freedom fought & died for. Nate & Isaac let us know that there are some good young lives – the best of our youth
At 67, fighting COPD and having kicked cancer out of me, I thought it would be nice to erect a flag on each of the Huffaker Hills, here in South Reno. After securing a ten foot length of 5/8 rebar on each hill, a foot into the rocks and filling with ten lbs of cement, each flag flew until mother nature brought them down. So I put up new flags and within weeks these too succumbed to Mother Nature. Pictures and a short video are available. Neighbors were & are delighted that somebody replaced them. And Somebody in North Reno area installed a flag on one of their hills. With all the knee bending, it’s nice to see them waving & hopefully it’s catching on. I’m very proud of that.
I am so very proud of those two boys who showed such reference for our flag. They give me hope for the future generations that are coming up!! Great job parents!!!!
Good point, Diana! It’s very likely those boys are being raised the right way.
outstanding way to go having been a Marine i know what love of country means i was an immigrant when my parents brought me to the states i am a citizen of this great country USA has given every thing i have today i truly respect my elders and all branches of the miltiary we need to see more of this i am glad i ran into this email it was very heart warming to see young people respect the flag ,signing off semper Fi
patriotism is false idol worship.
While serving during the Viet Nam war, a fellow sailor shared a story that he experienced more than once while his ship provided gun fire support from 5 inch 54 gun mounts. Coordinates had to be provided for enemy pockets. US Marine spotters ran from location to location radioing coordinates while in harm’s way. This required verification by the spotter that the gun fire hit the target. Many times the radio returned static noise… Our own gunfire killed our own Marines. These brave men did this knowing what could happen. This is one picture of what patriotism looks like. Protesters have no idea what patriotism is.
Great for those two boys,they both need a medal
not like the two boys who kneeled at private school
Amen amen amen
Veteran U.S. Army
OUTSTANDING JOB!!! These guys deserve a lot of credit. While I’m thinking that the world has become such a terrible place, a glimmer of sunshine cuts the dark clouds. These boys are also a testament to their parents and others that have given guidance through their young years. It would be great to see them in twenty years.
Best Regards!
These two are a reflection of parents and education that instilled such character into these minors.
Being retired military you know where my heart lies…and I thank these children for doing what they knew was right at their own peril….this setting the example and being leaders …
Their act brought tears to my eyes. There are patriotic, respectful people still living and showing others the way. It says something that, in this case, children must lead.
EVERYTIME I ENCOUNTER A Veteran,no matter where it is I APPROACH HIM OR HER,GIVE THEM A FIRM HAND SHAKE AND TELL THEM THAT I VERY MUCH APPRECIATE WHAT THEY HAVE DONE DORCOUR BEAUTIFUL COUNTRY..ITS THE VERY LEAST I CAN DO.
Nate and Isaac are HEROES . Two of THE BEST. Their actions should be front line NEWS.
Its not just patriotism and respect for the flag and our country. But pride something that been missing here in the states and around the world. But my last trip to PR (Puerto Rico) as always you see and hear the pride that they and everything they do.. And Frank you’ll be hearing from me on an other matter every soon ..
New Orleans Richard
Patriotism: Respect of our country, flag, anthem, and for our military, past & present.
What a great story. We all should hold this up to all our children as a GOOD example. B.T.W. — Doesn’t kneeling during the national anthem signify reverence to the flag? The same way as kneeling does as you pray to God?