Preston school flies former Capitol flag

A flag that flew at the U.S. Capitol is now flying at a local elementary school.

Pioneer Elementary in Preston is the proud owner of the new flag.

It all started after Mrs. Seamons’ second grade class read a book called “Threads of Honor” by Gordon Ryan.

“Threads of Honor” is a true story about a Boy Scout troop and their determined mission to get their troop’s flag on a space shuttle. Their flag finally ends up aboard the infamous shuttle “Challenger”, which exploded shortly after takeoff.

The troop’s flag was found months later at the bottom of the ocean, in tact. NASA returned the flag to the scouts.

This book inspired Mrs. Seamons’ class to write to Senator Mike Crapo and request their own flag. Crapo requested a flag be flown at the Capitol for the kids.

The flag for the class flew on January 28: the 30th anniversary of the “Challenger” explosion.

After flying at the U.S. Capitol, the flag was mailed to the class, along with certificates of authentication.

The school recently held an assembly where Boy Scouts raised the new flag.

At the assembly, the kids also got to watch a video sent from Senator James Risch’s office. The video congratulated the kids on their reading, and for taking such an interest in the flag.

A representative of Senator Orrin Hatch also read a personalized letter from him at the assembly. In his letter, Hatch also congratulated the kids and gave them advice on remembering to always pay proper respect to the American flag.

Janele Seamons, the class’ teacher, said she picked “Threads of Honor” simply because she thought it would benefit the kids outside of school.

“I thought this would be a good book for them to read to help them be a little more excited about what they can do in scouting and what they can do as American citizens,” said Seamons.

The school’s principal, Lance Harrison, said the kids also challenged him to read the book with them, and he’s glad he did.

The kids challenged the school superintendent to read it, too.

Seamons said her class was very excited when they got the flag, and they are excited to call it their own and see it waving every day.

Just like the scouts in the book, Mrs. Seamons’ class is proud of their flag and the story it brings with it.

Harrison said they are honored to have the flag at their school and they plan to fly it until it wears out.