First flag appreciation day held at Pittsburg Intermediate

The Pittsburg Rotary Club sponsored the first ever Flag Appreciation Day at Pittsburg Intermediate School on Friday, Sept. 11.

In honor of the occasion, Cody Kelly of the U.S. Navy spoke to kids about flag etiquette. At the conclusion of his program, Mr. Kelly asked the children what the flag means to them. Freedom, liberty and justice for all were just a few of the words used, as well as freedom of speech and freedom of religion.

Mr. Kelly joined the U.S. Navy in April of 2010. He said Sept. 11, 2001 solidified his decision to defend his country.

“The reason I joined is to do something with my life different than my classmates,” he said. “I always had planned to do something for my country no matter what branch I joined.”

Mr. Kelly said he wasn’t sure what branch of the military he wanted to join, so he turned to his family for advice.

“My Grandpa retired from 23 years of active duty as a Lieutenant Colonel, and my uncle did 23 years of active duty in the Army as a Major,” he said. “They both encouraged me to join a branch that I can get out with technical skills and apply those to the civilian sector. When the time came, recruiters were calling me left and right. The only ones that did not call was the Navy. I was walking through the college campus in my hometown and a Navy recruiter approached me and asked me what I was planning to do with my life. It hit me. I didn’t have much planned.”

By Tori Lyle, news@campcountynow.com -- To continue reading this article, purchase the print edition of The Pittsburg Gazette or go to our online e-edition at: http://www.etypeservices.com/Pittsburg%20GazetteID315/default.aspx