Coshocton Christian School students help rededicate flag
Students from the Coshocton Christian School helped hang a giant flag that will fly on school property. (Josie Sellers)
When Pastor Mike Jansen drove into town five years ago, one of the first things he saw was the giant American flag that flew high above Mullett Tire.
“When the property went up for sale, I was concerned about if the flag would fly again,” Jansen said. “It ended up being donated to us (here at the Coshocton Christian School), and certain key people came about at the right time to help. The Lord gave us that flag.”
After their awards ceremony on May 27, students at the school took part in a rededication ceremony for the flag that started off with a prayer by Jansen.
“Lord bless this flag, these people and this great country that was built on your foundation,” he said.
Members of the Coshocton County Honor Guard and national guardsmen helped unfold the flag. They then had students assist them in holding it up while it was attached to the flag pole that was moved from the former Mullett property. Together they all sang “The Star-Spangled Banner.”
Glendon Mullett said he put his first 20-by-30 flag up in 1997. “To me it represents freedom,” he said.
Jansen thanked him for thinking of the school as a location to carry on this Coshocton icon.
“It was my privilege,” Mullett said. “It was rewarding to see this. We want these kids to grow up strong and be the best they can.”
Doug Schaeffer, a 30-year Marine Corps veteran who recently started attending the Coshocton Christian Tabernacle, shared a few words with the students. He said it’s easy to get caught up in the barbeques and summer fun that come with Memorial Day weekend, but people must not forget the real reason for the holiday, which is to remember those who died protecting our freedom.
“Freedom is not free,” Schaeffer said. “We don’t get to keep it without a cost.”
Schaeffer encouraged those in attendance to visit veterans graves and attend ceremonies so their sacrifices are not forgotten.
“We live in a great country, despite our problems,” Schaeffer said. “We have much to be thankful for.”
While Mullett donated the flag, the new owners of his former property donated his old flag pole. Members of the church congregation, community businesses and parents of students pitched in to use their skills and resources to move and set the pole on school property.
“Mr. Mullett was set to run the flag up the pole once we got it set, but we started thinking it would be a great idea to get the kids involved,” Jansen said. “They were just so excited to be part of this, and it is something they will never forget. It’s just awesome. It would have cost over $4,000 to do this, but everything was donated. Everybody jumped in, and it was fun to see it all happen.”
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