BUCKFIELD — Students in grades four, five and six at Hartford-Sumner Elementary School are learning about patriotism from a local soldier.

U.S. Army National Guard Sgt. David Chabe, who serves with the 133rd Engineer Battalion in Brunswick, has worked with the students on several occasions. He taught students how to raise and bring down the flag with respect and dignity; the flag codes and everything the American flag represents; and the true meaning of Veterans Day and Memorial Day.

The school’s social studies curriculum teaches students how to be good citizens, to understand the roles, duties and responsibilities of citizens within their community, and to understand the rights and responsibilities of various leadership roles within the school and community. Being a good citizen begins with showing respect for the community and country.

By teaching students these core values, the school hopes students will grow up to understand how important it is to participate and be a leader within their community and school and show respect, honor and integrity throughout their lives. 

On Memorial Day, the students met at Lowell Cemetery. The ceremony began with the unfolding of the flag at the cemetery while a student read aloud the meaning of each of its folds.

They held a moment of silence as the flag was raised, said the Pledge of Allegiance and sang the national anthem. American Legion members performed a rifle salute after Chabe spoke. Each student placed a flag and flowers on the veterans’ graves.