Just when you think there’s no one left to teach kids the importance and value of freedom, a story like this one comes along. Thank you Col. Bob Penny, commander of the Sanderson High School JROTC, who pulled his group out of last week’s Raleigh Christmas Parade rather than have the American flag bring up the rear. I encourage you to read the entire New & Observer story about the valuable lesson he’s taught the cadets — and the reminder to all of us that one person can make a difference.
Penny said he was told about Sanderson’s spot the day before the Nov. 20 parade. That’s when he decided to withdraw his cadets.
They will not march in next year’s parade either, Penny said, unless the American flag is presented where he says it should be: at the front of the parade. Even if another group flies the flag at the front of the parade, Penny thinks it should never bring up the rear.
“It’s like having the national anthem at the end of a football game – you just don’t do it,” he said.
