Even when you have a hard time expressing what exactly patriotism is, you know it when you see it. And this kid’s got lots:
Jeffrey Sahli noticed the faded, fraying U.S. flag outside Evergreen Middle School soon after he started eighth grade last year.
“I thought the flag wasn’t being treated with flag etiquette. I thought I needed to do that,” the 14-year-old said. “I wanted to serve my country and I thought, heck, I’ll start right here.”
With the principal’s permission, he began taking care of Old Glory. Every school day he carefully hoists the U.S. and Colorado flags before classes and takes them down before heading home. He folds the Colorado flag into a neat square, the U.S. flag into a triangle, and places them in a cabinet in the office.
…
Jeffrey said the flag reminds him of the soldiers serving in Iraq.“When they’re coming home, I wanted them to see the flag flying high.”
Amid all the horrendous stories of kids acting like they were raised by wolves, you have a young man like this. He’s out there every school day, regardless of the weather, taking it upon himself to ensure that the flag is handled with care and respect. And he never expected any recognition or even acknowledgment of his efforts – he just did it because he knew it was right.
He wants to go to West Point. I sure hope he gets the chance.
May 15, 2008 at 11:28 pm
Wow. Thanks for posting that, Geoff.
His parents should be proud.
May 16, 2008 at 6:03 pm
Geoff, thank you very much for posting that. That’s one hell of a kid.
May 17, 2008 at 12:05 pm
After all the nutty stories I keep hearing out of Colorado (I know, geoff, California is worse, no need to remind me), it’s a pleasant surprise to hear that some kids are not only all right, but stand out.
May 19, 2008 at 8:29 pm
Have any of you been overseas? If so, have you ever seen the American flag abroad?
Every time I saw an American flag flying, it stirred up such pride and emotion. There’s nothing that can be compared to the majesty and grandeur of the Red, White, and Blue in a foreign land…a piece of home in a strange place.
True story: when we were living in Karachi, I used to fly an American flag outside my window. My parents used to ask me to take it down as people were coming and asking if this was US consulate. Hahaha. But when they started targeting and attacking Americans and the US consulate became the riskiest area in all of Karachi, which is saying something, I took it down.
And I knew someone whose father was killed when they attacked a US consulate van. It was the saddest thing I have ever experienced. And confusing…this was when I was a freshman in high school. I don’t even know how to describe “them”: terrorists? militants? extremists? xenophobes?
Good on the boy for honoring the US flag. It will always be the most beautiful piece of cloth in existence.