Something worth celebrating

DIXON - Dixon Elementary School third-graders raised their all-American voices Wednesday during its "An American Celebration" program.

Proud parents and family members of the seven third-grade classes gathered in the gymnasium to commemorate patriotism with their children. Students took turns talking about the meaning of citizenship, the history of various patriotic songs and the history of the U.S. flag.

Special guest speaker U.S. Navy Command Master Chief Kevin Kesterson talked about patriotism, providing a dictionary definition of patriotism while reminding the children about how they exhibit it daily in their thoughts, feelings and behavior.

He talked about what the flag symbolizes and told the children their program had done a wonderful job honoring the flag and country.

"A lot of men and women are fighting for that flag," Kesterson said. "And fighting for our freedom - to give us a lot of freedom other boys and girls don't have in other countries. Some give their lives, which is the ultimate sacrifice, for the love of their country."

He went over ways to respectfully display and handle the flag, and members of the Camp Lejeune Flag Team demonstrated the proper ceremonial folding of the flag. Kesterson went over the significance of each of the 13 folds during the demonstration.

"And after the flag is completely folded and tucked in, it takes on the appearance of a cocked hat, ever reminding us of the soldiers who served under Gen. George Washington and the sailors and Marines who served under Capt. John Paul Jones who were followed by their comrades and shipmates in the Armed Forces of the United States, preserving for us the rights, privileges, and freedoms we enjoy today," he said.

Kesterson gave the flag to Principal Dennie Fidalgo for the school after the demonstration.

A Camp Lejeune rifle team and color guard also took part in the ceremony, presenting the colors and giving a rifle presentation.

Under the direction of music teacher Meredith Warden, the children sang a number of patriotic songs including "The Star Spangled Banner," "America, the Beautiful," "All American Me and You" and "You're a Grand Old Flag.

The program included a military tribute with a slide show of faces of military families and servicemen and women, bringing tears to many in the audience as the students sang "God Bless the U.S.A."

 Contact staff writerr Suzanne Ulbrich at sulbrich@freedomenc.com or 910-219-8466.