Post 77’s Legion Family presents nine U.S. flags to Henderson County (N.C.) Public Schools.
When Hurricane Helene hit North Carolina last fall, it took a heavy toll on Henderson County. One of the casualties – or eight, actually – were the U.S. flags that hung outside of all Henderson County Public Schools.
But thanks to Hendersonville Post 77’s American Legion Family, those flags now have been replaced by brand new versions of Old Glory.
On Feb. 11 during a ceremony at Mills River Academy – which houses the school district’s Information Technology Department and serves as a training center for personnel – members of Post 77’s Legion Family presented school officials with eight new flags to be placed outside of the district’s schools. An additional flag also was presented to be flown outside of the Henderson County Public Schools Office.
Post 77 Adjutant and Past Department Commander Shuford Edmisten said he received an email from Henderson County Education Foundation Coordinator Allison Cole asking if the post could provide new flags to the district. Edmisten had one condition for saying yes.
“When our education foundation brought that too me and said, ‘Is this something you’d like to do,’ I said absolutely. This is what we look to do for our schools,” Edmisten said. “When I was talking to Allison Cole … I said, “Here’s the thing. I’m not going to walk up to you and hand you a flag. It has to be an official act of The American Legion. In other words, if you’re going to have everyone together for your monthly meeting anyway, let’s do something. Let us come as the Henderson County Honor Guard and The American Legion.’ We want to make sure The American Legion is here to help them.”
At the ceremony, flags were presented to the principals at East Henderson High School, Bruce Drysdale Elementary, Hendersonville High School, Upward Elementary, North Henderson High School, Atkinson Elementary, Glenn C Marlow and Mills River Elementary, as well as to the school system’s central office. A certificate of appreciation accompanied each flag.
Edmisten said the presentation was made by members of Post 77, American Legion Auxiliary Unit 77 and the post’s Sons of The American Legion chapter – including Sons of The American Legion Detachment Adjutant Larry Barnwell. The presentation ceremony included the posting of the U.S. flag, reciting the Pledge of Allegiance and a moment of silence for all Henderson County deceased veterans of all conflicts.
Edmisten said a particularly moving portion of the ceremony came when he presented a flag to Henderson County Schools Superintendent Mark Garrett – who happened to be a Tennessee American Legion Boys State alum. “He said, ‘We want to thank The American Legion for being a part of our school system,’” he said. “I’m only 5-8 (tall), but I sure did feel like I was 10 feet tall.”
Edmisten said while The American Legion has many programs touching multiple areas, Post 77 doesn’t want either Americanism or Children & Youth to fall through the cracks.
“Let’s not forget our kids,” he said. “We have a lot of things on our plate, but let’s not forget those kids, because patriotism has always got to be at the top of the flagpole.”
- Community