Tale of a US flag, from Afghanistan to Sunshine Academy

Palm Coast Observer
Neighbors

As the stereo played, a host of Sunshine Academy of Flagler VPK students stood, dressed in red, white and blue, and belted out the words to “God Bless America.” Former teacher at Sunshine Liza Perez, of the Flagler County Disabled American Veterans, stood watching them, hers eyes getting heavy while she fought back tears.

The song acted as the children’s "thank you" to the local DAV and to Sgt. Joe Morris, of the U.S. Army National Reserve, who recently returned from a nine-month tour in Afghanistan.

Morris, whose sons Brennan and Jake attended the school while he was overseas, presented a certified American flag that he flew over Afghanistan during his tour, to the school.

“It’s a big honor,” Morris said of presenting the flag to his sons’ school.

Sunshine Academy of Flagler Director Dmitriy Shevchenko said it was an honor to receive the flag on behalf of the school.

“It’s important for our children to understand what the flag represents and what our country is based on,” he said. “Beyond just celebrating the Fourth of July, we wanted to make sure they get to see veterans and truly appreciated their life’s work.”