Standout Students of The Month

WESTWOOD – Charles Goodman, Liam La Croix, Liam Hayes, eighth graders at Thurston, along with Sean Rideout, a Westwood High sophomore, are the Westwood Living “Standout Students of the Month” for their roles in leading a flag retirement ceremony on June 8 at the Robert E. Smith fire circle in Westwood.

David Lamb, a former Eagle Scout and Thurston Middle School teacher, noticed many tattered and torn American flags throughout the school. He spearheaded a project to retire the old flags and have them replaced.

Troop 3 from Westwood knew this was a wonderful opportunity and members of the troop immediately helped Lamb with the project. Approximately 20-25 flags were retired, with many fifth graders from the troop also in attendance.

What is a flag retirement ceremony? It is the proper way to dispose of flags according to the United States Flag Code and shows a sign of respect. Flags were cut properly into sections, according to regulation, and then placed into the fire.

The Boy Scouts, along with members attending the ceremony, were able to place flags into the fire in honor of past servicemen and servicewomen.

Congratulations to Charlie, Liam, Liam and Sean for standing out and taking the proper steps to make sure Thurston Middle School has new American flags in proper and respectable condition.