American Legion members Monica Clennon (left) and Jim Oden (right) begin the folding of the flag.

MENTONE — American Legion Post 36 visited Mentone Elementary to do a presentation on the American Flag Monday morning, Nov. 27.

Students learned a great deal about the United States Flag from its history to how to respect it. Post 36 performed the folding of the flag and read what each fold meant. Students watched videos on how to respect the flag and what “The Pledge of Allegiance” means when spoken. After the folding of the flag, students asked the American Legion representatives about the flag and the military, wanting to know why the flag had to be folded with gloves on, what made the representatives serve in the military and much more.

Following the presentations, students headed back to their classrooms where they took a test over what they had learned and received a comic book about the flag. Along with the test, Rochester American Legion Post 36 informed students of the American Legion’s annual “What the Flag Means to Me” essay contest. Students were informed about the essay, stating the local winner would receive a $50 cash prize and be eligible to enter in the statewide competition. The winner of the statewide contest would win a $1,000 prize.