img_6719 img_6720img_6724img_6726The JROTC Shark Battalion conducted an official Flag Burning Ceremony today. Flags removed from service were donated from Shark families and our local VFW.

Battalion Commander Emily Barrs led the ceremony, which included: “We have presented here these flags of our country, which have been inspected and deemed as unserviceable. They have reached their present state in a proper service of tribute, memory and love. A flag may be a flimsy bit of printed gauze, or a beautiful banner of finest silk. Their inborn value may be trifling or great, but their real value is beyond price for it is a precious symbol of all that we and our comrades have worked for, lived for, and died for. A free nation of free men and women true to the faith or the past, devoted to the ideals and the practice of justice, freedom and democracy. Let these faded flags of our country be retired and destroyed with respectful and honorable rights and their place be taken by a bright new flag and let no grave of our soldier or sailor dead be dishonored and unmarked.” AHS is very proud of our students and their desire to demonstrate the utmost respect for this valued process.