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Otelee Wyatt colors her American flag for a decoration on her door Thursday morning in honor of Flag Day at Whispering Knoll in Pine Bluff. Pine Bluff Commercial/Ralph Fitzgerald
Residents of Whispering Knoll Assisted Living Center observed Flag Day in a ceremony where Boy Scouts displayed the proper way of folding the flag Thursday morning.
Scout Master Dwight Miller said he was proud that his troop, 106 from First Baptist Church in White Hall,
was able to visit the facility.
Before they began to fold the flag, Montevian Simon, a member of the National Guard, and La’Precious Russell, sang the National Anthem as some residents stood to show their respect and sing along.
Russell said by singing the National Anthem, she felt that she was giving honor to her country.
Simon, who received the flag at the end of the ceremony, said singing the song brought him joy.
After the song, troop members Evan and Carter Buckner and Ezra Tole began the folding ceremony, assisted by Miller and Assistant Scout Master Steve Tole.
After the ceremony, residents were given paper flags to decorate so they could hang them on their doors. Volunteers from Chester Hynes Community Center also helped residents decorate their flags.
Resident Lonell Odom said Flag Day meant freedom and being proud of his country.
Ruth Green, a resident, said she felt uplifted.
“I’m just glad to be here. I’m really enjoying it,” Green said.
Chase Cottrell and Tylor Johnson, who are both volunteers from Chester Hynes, said they were having fun and liked the fact they got to help the elderly.
Nina Hunt, administrator of Whispering Knoll, said this isn’t their first year to celebrate Flag Day, however it is their first year to have the Boy Scouts participate. Last year, the ROTC from Pine Bluff High School visited.
Hunt said she can see that the residents are proud of the flag and thinks that by bringing youth in, they can experience the pride from the residents and take Flag Day more seriously.
“I think when the children see the residents try and get out of their wheelchairs to stand for the National Anthem, they see the pride and take it more seriously,” Hunt said.