Jennie
K. Kolter Elementary School
Students Learn About Our US Flag
Fall 2008
Working on their New Year’s Resolutions early, the fifth grade students at Kolter Elementary invited a Navy recruiter, UT2 Eric Mendes, SW to hone their flag etiquette skills. Petty Officer Mendes, a native of Sharpstown, spent an hour with the fifth grade, teaching them how to show respect for our nation’s flag. As a former member of the Presidential Ceremonial Unit, he participated in over 500 funerals and helped pay last respects to fallen service members and their families.
The following pictures illustrate the proper way to fold the flag - taut at waist level with only the field of stars showing when it is completely folded. Petty Officer Mendes also spoke with the children about what to do when a flag gets wet (respectfully hung to dry in the cafeteria) or when it becomes faded or frayed (it needs to be replaced). The safety patrol is responsible for raising and lowering the flag at Kolter each school day. The students work as a team to show our flag the respect that it deserves.
