TYNDALL AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. -- Seven Team Tyndall Airmen visited the Bay Haven Charter Academy summer program May 30 as guest speakers.
More than 120 students from the program were able to receive different point of views on the meaning of the U.S. flag, see a unique ceremony and ask questions.
“I believe this was an opportunity for children to understand where the flag comes from,” said Tech. Sgt. Priscilla Chavez, 325th Maintenance Squadron low observable craftsman.
Every year, children at the summer program make team flags according to grade groups, but this time they had inspirational help and learned different perspectives on making their flags meaningful.
“I wanted to give the kids a purpose on making their group flags,” said Traci Cornett, Bay Haven Charter Academy summer program co-director. “So I reached out for help and what I got in return was more than I asked for.”
During their visit, the Airmen got the chance to explain their own personal meaning of the American flag.
“As a young girl I would go to the cemetery on Memorial Day to plant flags with my grandma and grandpa and didn’t quite understand the meaning of the flag at that time,” Chavez said.
Shortly after joining the Air Force Chavez came to truly understand the flag’s significance.
“Not long after joining, 9/11 happened. Those two towers fell, and I was sent off to war on foreign soil,” Chavez told the audience with tears in her eyes. “I saw the red, white, and blue raised. I saw old glory [the flag] waving on that nation’s soil, and at that moment I knew. I truly understood what the U.S. flag meant to me. Freedom.”
Airman 1st Class Zachary Wallace, 325th MXS low observable technician, shared her sentiment.
In America people can dress how they like, talk about what they like, and have the opportunity to be successful no matter where they come from or what they look like, said Wallace.
“Whenever I see the American flag it reminds me of why I am still free,” Wallace added. “It’s because of the brave men and women that came before me, who rallied behind the American flag and fought for our freedom. Some even giving their lives.”
Children in attendance also had the unique chance to see an official flag folding ceremony and hear the National Anthem performed by the Tyndall Base Honor Guard.
From past Airmen to present ones, the flag means freedom and bravery and is a source of inspiration to the next generation of Airmen.
“The military is very special to my heart,” Cornett said. “The Airmen who helped did a great job on representing the flag and giving the kids different points of view as to what the flag means to them.”