The American Flag. It is a simple piece of material, but it means so very much to the residents of this country.
It was the first thing the firefighters raised at the site of the World Trade Center after it collapsed on Sept. 11, 2001. It is what every American athlete turns to face during the national anthem. It is proudly displayed by millions of Americans on their homes, cars and clothing. It was also a very unexpected gift for a group of fourth-graders in Berwyn last month.
Vi Zaklan’s fourth-grade class at Irving School in Berwyn was learning the proper way to address and write a letter in the fall. So when Francis Scott, a social worker at the school, e-mailed Irving teachers asking if any classes would like to write to her nephew who was in the service overseas, Zaklan jumped at the idea.
“We started writing Mark Scott, who was serving in the Air Force in November when he was based in Afghanistan,” Zaklan said. “The children would write to him and ask him questions about his life and would tell him little stories about themselves, and also sent him Thanksgiving and Christmas cards. He would write back one general letter telling them about his life and what he was doing over there.”
The children enjoyed the challenge and looked forward to receiving Scott’s letters. But they especially enjoyed a gift he sent them, which they received after returning from Christmas break. He sent his Irving School pen pals a flag.
“He sent us an American flag with a picture of himself, which was really an awesome experience,” Zaklan said. “He also sent a certificate with the flag that states: ‘This flag had flown aboard a C-130 aircraft on a combat mission over Afghanistan in support against the US-led war against terrorism. It is presented to Vi Zaklan’s fourth-grade class to thank you for your support in the war against terrorism.’”
The flag, certificate and picture of Scott all are hanging in the classroom at Irving School.
“The students were kind of intrigued and it was quite touching (receiving the flag) because it made the children realize Mark was a real person in the war and it was very moving for them to receive a gift from him,” Zaklan said. “It also shows them how important the American flag is, especially this one, because it flew during a combat mission in another country.”
In a few weeks, Zaklan said she plans to place the flag in a display case and is truly amazed at the generous gift, adding the class received an even better gift a few weeks later.
“After we wrote to him to thank him for the flag we found out he had been discharged. That’s the best gift, knowing that he made it safely home.”