By: Nancy Bonds, Director of Communications
Cedar Bayou Junior School recently held a meaningful flag replacement ceremony, emphasizing respect, patriotism, and student education. In partnership with the Spindletop VFW Post 1806, the event reinforced the importance of proper flag etiquette and national pride.
CBJ students assist Post Chaplain Jorge Gonzalez with replacing the Texas Flag.
The ceremony, led by Post Commander Marvin Cash and Post Chaplain Jorge Gonzalez, demonstrated how to respectfully retire or replace American and Texas flags when their edges become frayed or faded. While this event was considered more of a replacement than a full retirement, it upheld the solemnity and dignity of the process.
Students learned the symbolic significance of the 13 ceremonial folds in the American flag, each with its own meaning, and the importance of reciting the Pledge of Allegiance when raising the flag. The proper retirement of flags typically involves burial or ceremonial destruction, which was also discussed during the event.
Cedar Bayou Principal Dr. Rogelio Cardona remarked, “It is an honor to have a local VFW to help educate our students on the U.S. flag code. We are blessed to have these heroes positively influence our future.”
Sixth grader Grady Lockett was instrumental in the ceremony, helped lower the worn flags, and raised the new ones alongside Jorge Gonzalez. Several students also participated in folding the flags with care and precision. These students included seventh graders Jax Husband and Nagwa Abdelghany and eighth graders Alizay Jaime, Adilynn Jaime, Samantha Santibanez, and Camila Avalos.
Special thanks to orchestra teacher Kerry Rice for coordinating student participation in this event. Cedar Bayou Junior School is proud to promote honor, leadership, and civic responsibility among its students through experiences like these.