Ban Of American Flag At Londonderry Pep Rally Called ‘Misunderstanding'

LONDONDERRY, NH — School officials in Londonderry are calling backlash from parents and the community after high school pep rally organizers issued a memo to participants banning the use of the American flag during a pep rally as a misunderstanding. Earlier this month, organizers of the high school pep rally sent a memo to 25 students who are assisting with the event reminding them of the format to be used. In the memo, issued on Sept. 10, 2017, the “pep rally entrance protocol” memo included such items as no undressing during the event and no questionable or derogatory comments about the opposing team.

But it also included a fourth item: “NO use of the American flag. Do not wear/carry/present the American flag on the floor.” (For more information on this and other neighborhood stories, subscribe to Londonderry NH Patch to receive daily newsletters and breaking news alerts.)

The ban sparked outrage with parents which required the school to issue a clarification about the memo.

“It was not our intention to ban the use of the flag at the rally, but instead to limit how students are including the flag in the school event,” Scott Laliberte, the superintendent of the Londonderry School District said in a statement. “There have been incidents in the past where students carried flags, but in a manner not consistent with the American Legion Flag Code. At previous rallies, some students have included it as part of an outfit allowing the flag to drag on the ground. The email was simply meant to avoid repeating any inadvertent disrespect of our nation’s flag.”

Flag code rules include how the flag is hoisted and lowered in a ceremonial manner, how it should be displayed, and where it should be displayed in relation to speakers at events. It also states that flags should never be used as apparel, as a costume or athletic uniform, or displayed in a manner where it can be torn, soiled, or damaged.

Laliberte said that officials “have corrected the misunderstanding” by issuing another email to parents and staff clarifying how the flag can be used at pep rallies. The flag and the singing of the National Anthem are also included in the pep rally program, he noted.

Laliberte called the incident “a teachable moment for all of us” and said students were welcome to bring flags to the event so long as they are displayed “deserved and articulated in the American Legion Flag Code.”

On Sept. 18, LHS Principal Jason Parent sent Patch the contents of the email sent to parents and students:

Good morning Londonderry School Community,

We are writing to clarify a letter that was sent to two team members from each varsity sport for our annual fall pep rally. This is an event at Londonderry High School where we show our school pride and spirit leading into Mack Plaque weekend. Our Pep Rally Aides and Advisor work very hard to prepare a pep rally that acknowledges our student-athletes who are introduced to the floor as they enter the gym team by team, as well as our student-body who proudly wear our school colors of red, white, and blue. The letter that was sent was meant to clarify our expectations for those team introductions. The bullets on the letter provided guidelines and reminders for our varsity teams to have an appropriate entrance.

The fourth bullet point referencing no use of the American flag during team entrance protocol was added out of reverence for the flag, as it was inadvertently mishandled in a past pep rally. United States Military Veterans on our staff at the time expressed concern over proper flag etiquette and standards of respect. The nature of the team entrances does not lend itself to the proper handling of the flag. After teams are introduced, everyone in the gym rises to appropriately honor the American flag which is prominently displayed on our gymnasium wall, as a student sings the National Anthem, which officially starts our pep rally. We hope this information clarifies some of the misconceptions that are circulating in the community.

Sincerely,

Jason Parent

Principal