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The 89-year-old St. Charles resident learned firsthand the cost of that fabric, and all it represents, during his tour in the South Pacific in World War II. Serving as an aviation chief machinist’s mate in the Navy Air Corps, Ask and his crew flew for “10 or 15 hours a day” searching for enemy submarines and ships.
“We made a lot of sacrifices over the years for the liberties you enjoy now,” Ask told about 30 St. Charles Elementary School third-graders Tuesday morning.
Ask and three other St. Charles veterans visited the school to teach students about flag etiquette in honor of Veterans Day. The children also received tips on how to properly fold the American flag. For the veterans, teaching the children how to respect the symbol of the United States is their way of honoring all those who have served to protect this country.
Eager eyes scanned the flag etiquette booklets the veterans handed out, as Ask talked about the history of the flag. He told the students about the need to illuminate any flag flying outside at night and how tattered flags can be properly burned. He told the students that the flag should never be flown upside down, with only one exception.
“When you’re depressed?” one little boy guessed.
“When you’re distressed, not depressed,” Ask said, smiling at the boy who had the right idea but the wrong word.
Moments later, dozens of small hands shot into the air when the veterans asked who wanted to try to fold the flag. Third-graders TiAnna Iglesias and Cody Howen volunteered first, assisted by veterans Roger Smith and Julie Ludwig.
Their effort was applauded by their classmates and Vietnam veteran Larry Small, who watched from nearby. Small earned a Purple Heart after being injured in a mortar attack during his service, and Ask mentioned the honor repeatedly to the students, with a touch of pride in his voice.
The respect for the flag the students learned honors men and women like Small, who have served this country. It’s something many people too often forget, Ask said, and he urged the children to pass on what they had learned.
“Don’t forget to read those books and go home and tell your parents,” he said, “because parents have a way of forgetting this stuff.”
Dustin Kass can be reached at (507) 453-3513 or dustin.kass@lee.net.
