Ryan Fox and Ellison Burton were the two students from Akron Elementary School who did the best in American Legion Post 36 of Rochester’s flag-education test. From left are the Legion’s Kevin Druding, Fox, Burton and the Legion’s Monica Clennon. InkFreeNews photo by Leah Sander.

By Leah Sander
InkFreeNews

ROCHESTER — Fourth graders at Fulton County schools recently learned about the importance of the American flag.

American Legion Post 36 of Rochester once again conducted its flag education program.

Legion representatives gave a presentation to kids at Akron, Caston, Mentone and Riddle elementary schools and handed out patriotic comic books.

The students were then given tests with 20 multiple choice questions about who created the American flag, the elements of it and how it should be displayed. There was also an essay question regarding “What do you think about when you see our country’s flag?”

Legion representatives graded the tests, with Monica Clennon and Kevin Druding from the Legion then traveling to the four schools on Friday, Feb. 2, and Monday, Feb. 5, to announce the names of a boy and girl from each school who’d done the best on the tests.

Kids had to answer all 20 questions right and have a good answer to the essay question to be chosen.

The eight kids were: Ryan Fox and Ellison Burton from Akron, Parker Manus and Paisley Barcus from Caston, Cristian Acosta and Remington Bouse from Mentone, and Liam “L.J.” Robertson and Kaitlin Jaeger from Riddle.

Children got $50 each and bags filled with candy, a small American flag and more.

The eight kids’ tests will next go on to the state level to be judged.

Clennon has helped with the program for at least 12 years. Druding is in his first year helping out with it.

“It has given them the opportunity to understand what the American flag is and what it represents,” said Druding.

“As long as they understand … this is not a perfect country by any stretch, but it’s the best one on the planet,” said Clennon of what she hoped kids took away from the flag education program. “If you’ve lived in other countries … and go somewhere else, you realize that this is the best country.”

“I just want them to recognize that they have so many luxuries and so freedoms that a lot of children around the world do not,” added Clennon.

Caston Elementary School students Parker Manus and Paisley Barcus did the best from the school on the Legion’s flag-education test. From left are Druding, Manus, Barcus and Clennon. Photo provided by Caston.

Cristian Acosta and Remington Bouse were the two from Mentone Elementary School who did the best on the Legion’s flag-education test. From left are Bouse, Clennon, Druding and Acosta. InkFreeNews photo by Leah Sander.

Kaitlin Jaeger, left, with Clennon, was the girl from Riddle Elementary School who did the best on the Legion’s flag-education test. The top boy from the school was Liam “L.J.” Robertson, who is not pictured. Photo provided by Clennon.