‘I have a lot of pride’: Student won’t let pandemic stop him from flying U.S. flag at school

There are many duties that students cannot do at school because of virtual learning, but that didn’t stop an eighth grader from showing his pride for his country.

David Wiles takes pride in flying the U.S. flag at East Union Middle School in Marshville, but since the pandemic, Old Glory has not seen the light of day.

“I have a lot of pride,” he said.

[Officers retrieve, fold tattered American flag from van that slammed into building]

Now, David wakes up a little earlier than usual to raise the flag.

“I’m not going to be able to see my friends or teachers, so knowing I can come to school and put up the flag, it’s something good to do,” David said.

He returns later during the day to lower it and carefully fold the flags to stow.

“For me it stands for freedom,” he told Channel 9.

“He is so proud to be able to do something like that,” his mother, Amy Wiles, said. “Not only does he want to raise the flag, but he wants to protect it when he gets older.”

David wants his classmates and his teachers to see the flags over their school as a sign that no matter how far apart they are, the U.S. flag still flies for them.

“It just shows them that there is hope that it’s going to get back to normal,” David said.

WATCH: Firefighters save American flag from Lake Fire blaze (NCD)

Cox Media Group