LAKE OF THE OZARKS, Mo. — A local community group is on a mission to teach students about respecting the stars and stripes.
Lynda Hartwick, a member of the Newcomers/Longtimers and Marine Corps League Auxiliary groups, says she noticed area residents neglecting to salute the U.S. flag in local parades. Hartwick presented the idea for a “Respect for the Flag” program to the Newcomers/Longtimers.
Every year, the Community Awareness Group of the Newcomers/Longtimers embraces a community-related task or program. The group agreed Hartwick’s idea was a worthy one, and it moved forward with implementation.
The Marine Corps League has in the past collaborated with the Newcomers/Longtimers. With the “Respect for the Flag” program, the league offered to provide a color guard for local school assemblies and speakers for classroom appearances.
To date, the Newcomers/Longtimers group has distributed 1,500 flags to upper elementary grades around the Lake and 550 flag stickers to children in grades K–2. The group reported all of the flags distributed were made in America and were purchased through donations.
The Community Awareness Group is already planning to expand the program for the next school year into additional districts and grade levels.
