Kindergarteners learn flag symbolism and etiquette ahead of Flag Day

On Thursday morning, Park Avenue Elementary School kindergarteners gathered in one of the school’s outdoor learning spaces for a special Flag Day presentation, just ahead of the national observance on Sunday, June 14.

The event was led by members of the local chapter of the Nam Knights of America Motorcycle Club. The Nam Knights are well known throughout the Warwick Valley Central School District for their ongoing partnership with Park Avenue, regularly coordinating with its Student Council and the broader school community for annual campaigns such as Wreaths Across America and Toys for Military Tots.

During the presentation, the Nam Knights engaged students with a lesson on the history, symbolism, and traditions of the American flag, soliciting and answering students' questions about each new detail. They explained the meaning behind the flag’s vibrant red, white, and blue colors and discussed the symbolism of the 50 stars and 13 stripes, representing the nation’s states and original colonies, respectively. Students also learned about the significance of the flag’s unique folding ceremony. 

Two Nam Knights demonstrated how to fold a flag, while another member read aloud about what each of the 13 folds symbolizes, offering insights into the respect and honor paid to the flag during official ceremonies. 

The students learned that the 13 folds symbolize:
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1. Life
2. The belief in eternal life
3. The veteran being laid to rest, and those who gave their lives in service
4. Our trust in something greater than ourselves in times of trouble
5. A tribute to the country itself
6. Where our hearts lie, as we pledge allegiance to the flag
7. A tribute to the armed forces
8. Those who have passed, and the mothers who hold them in memory
9. Womanhood, and the faith and devotion that have shaped the nation's character
10. Fathers, who have given their sons and daughters in defense of the country
11. The lower portion of the seal of King David and King Solomon, in the Jewish tradition
12. Eternity, in the Christian tradition
13. The final fold, with the stars facing upward, recalls the nation's motto, "In God We Trust."

The Nam Knights also shared how American flags are properly retired when they become worn, reinforcing the importance of dignity and care for national symbols. Now, the students understand that when a flag is no longer “a fitting emblem of display,” it is destroyed in a dignified way, preferably by burning, and then buried in an appropriate place of honor. Local American Legion and VFW posts are known to offer flag collection for the public and flag retirement ceremonies.

The Flag Day presentation exemplified the idea of being an Ethical & Global Citizen, as outlined in the district’s Portrait of a Graduate. It fostered civic responsibility, helping students understand the significance of national traditions and symbols. Most importantly, the presentation encouraged respect, empathy, and a sense of community, all wrapped into a memorable lesson about history and patriotism that they will carry into Flag Day weekend and beyond.