HES Flag Day a School Tradition

A tradition that began with a few songs sung around the Hillsborough Elementary School flagpole has become a favorite tradition at the school—and one that draws the school family together.

With veterans lining the stage, a color guard of local Boy Scout and Girl Scout troops, and patriotic decorations around the school gym, the school’s assembly is a celebration for the school and for its guests, according Jennifer Hopson, the teacher organizing the event. Board of Education members and Township Committee officials attended the event as well.

“It’s been a really nice tradition for them and for us,” she said. “We considered doing a Veteran’s Day ceremony (too) but we always too Flag Day.”

The ceremony brings students’ relatives—whether grandparents, parents, uncles, cousins or more—to the stage, as well as bringing teachers’ family members to the event. Military branches included the Army, Navy and Marines, and the service ranged from peacetime service during the 1960s to the Vietnam War and modern conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Each year, the school sends invitations to student and staff families, with many of the school’s guests returning year after year, Hopson said.

Students who may not have a connection to the military participate in the ceremony as well. The school’s recorder ensemble played several patriotic songs during the assembly, while several fourth graders read essays about patriotism.

“We are all one country and we are stronger together,” Ryan Paget said as he read his essay. “The U.S. has been a country for a long time and we have made some mistakes, like segregation.”

In addition, the school honored several students’ family members who were killed in action.

With this year’s celebration over, it’s on to planning for next year.

“I love doing it,” Hopson said. “But it’s a lot of work.”