Local students take pride in daily task

Rector Elementary fifth graders Kasen Green and Abraham Christensen have a special task with which they are entrusted. Each day the young students are responsible for putting up and taking down the Arkansas and United States flags which respectfully fly at the elementary building's main entrance.

The boys, who are in Mrs. Leisa Wesley's class, were selected for the daily task by their teacher because of their good behavior and responsibility. Abraham is the 11-year-old son of Don and Rebecca Christensen. Kasen is the son of Brad Green and Bobbi Jackson.

In handling the flags each day, the boys have received proper instruction in how to take care of the patriotic symbols by county Veteran Affairs officer Tommy Huggins.

"You have to fold them (the flags) a certain way," Kasen said. "That's important. You can't just roll the flag up and put it back in its box. When you fly them, the American flag has to go on top."

"Don't let them touch the ground," Abraham added. "Always take care of the flag because it means a lot to our country."

As part of their routine, the two boys retrieve the flags from the office each morning just before 8 a.m. Working together, they hook the flags to the steel cable of the flag pole, raising them high for all to see. Each afternoon, prior to the sounding of the final bell, they head outdoors once again to retrieve the flags, folding them and properly storing them in their individual boxes.

While the boys say they enjoy their important duty, it isn't always easy. Last Friday, temperatures dropped well below freezing, falling into the teens. Though it was brutally cold, the two young men did not shirk their responsibility, facing the cold wind and snow together as they went about their task.

"They're out there every day," elementary secretary Michelle Hartsfield said. "They're out there even when it's cold."

The task has educational value, according to elementary principal Johnny Fowler.

"It's a good way for the kids to learn about the flag and its importance," F0owler said. "It also helps them learn about responsibility and working together."