Nov. 19
November 19, 2009
Ms. Shirley J. Fontane
November 23, 2009
If you put anything else in the Afghanistan desert for eight months, it might come out looking tattered and dirty. The American flag, however, only looks more noble for its service.
If the flag flying at Elysian Fields Elementary School in East Houma looked a little more worn than usual on Veterans Day, it’s only because it was flown every day for several months at Camp Bastion in the Helmand Province of Afghanistan.
The flag belongs to the family of Cpl. Brandon Dion, who served from April through December 2008 in Afghanistan with the 2nd Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment. The flag was flown as part of the school’s Veterans Day program, where his little brother Selby Robling attends 6th grade.
“We’re very, very honored to have it here because it made our Veterans Day program more memorable,” said Melissa Badeaux, the principal of Elysian Fields. “We’re ecstatic to have it.”
Brandon and Selby were happy to see the flag that Brandon raised and lowered every day while he was in Afghanistan flying outside of the school as a symbol of appreciation for the older brother’s service.
“It’s really cool,” said Dion. “It’s good to see the respect that they’re showing by flying the flag on Veterans Day. It makes you feel good that people respect what you’re doing.”
He also said that it helped make up for some of the criticism he’s heard about his service.
Dion said he had the flag shipped home to his family with a certificate from the commanding officer while he was still stationed in Afghanistan. The family also has a flag that was flown in Afghanistan on the Fourth of July.
Selby mirrored his older brother and said that it was “really cool” to see his brother’s flag flying outside of his school. He also said he was proud of his brother’s service.
The primary mission Dion faced in Afghanistan was training the country’s new national army and police force. One of the things he enjoyed most about the experience was discovering the culture of Afghanistan and the cultures of soldiers from other countries stationed at Camp Bastion.
Dion re-enlisted while he was still in Afghanistan and assumes he will be assigned another tour in the Central Asian country. According to Dion, serving his country in the field of combat changed his life.
“Seeing it and living it is definitely a whole different experience,” said Dion of his service. “It really makes you appreciate the things you have back here, like a soft bed and a pillow.”
The family of Selby Robling, a student at Elysian Fields Elementary School, fold the U.S. and Louisiana State flags on Veterans Day. The American flag was shipped home from Afghanistan by Cpl. Brandon Dion (right), Selby’s brother. * Photo by BRETT SCHWEINBERG
