La Societe des Quarante Hommes et Huit Chevaux Grande Voiture du Texas TEXAS VOYAGEUR NEWS FLAGS FOR 1ST GRADERS

Killeen Independent School District

12/12/2022 By: Todd Martin, Killeen ISD PR

A Veterans’ organization rooted in World War I is working on informing the public about the U.S. flag with a focus on children. The local chapter of the non-profit group, 40/8 began its “Flags for First Graders” project Monday, handing out small American flags to the school’s first graders.

Actually, first-grade teachers received packets containing the miniature flags, along with instructions for flag care and etiquette and coloring pages. The group is scheduled to deliver flags to 10 Killeen ISD elementary schools. Group Commander Jim Sweeney said they would be happy to schedule more stops.

At Timber Ridge Elementary School, Sweeney and other members of the 40/8 explained the history of the flag and traditions associated with caring for and displaying the flag. Rotating between asking questions and explaining history and tradition, Sweeney and Sandy Kousman described the flag. Those 50 stars, they said, represent the 50 states that make up the United States. Each star represents a specific state. Texas’ star is three down on the right side. The stripes – 13 red and 13 white – represent the original colonies. Since Betsy Ross stitched together the first American flag in 1776, it has gone by different names, including “Stars and Stripes,” “Old Glory” and the “Star-Spangled Banner,” the presenters explained. That last name is also the name of the National Anthem, penned by Frances Scott Key on board a ship during the War of 1812. There have been 27 official varieties of the US flag. (Continued on page 9)