When Tim Bush first stepped into his new office as the Trigg County High School’s assistant principal some three years ago, one of the first things he noticed — there, in the corner — was an old, tattered flag in a case.
As it turns out, it was no ordinary flag. It was an historic and local relic, frozen in time for 20 years after being permanently lowered one terrible, Tuesday morning in United States history.
Despite the shuffle of personnel and offices over the last two decades, the flag remained. So when Bush assumed the role of high school principal this summer, he knew it coincided with the unfortunate 20th anniversary of the attacks on New York, Washington D.C. and Shanksville, Pennsylvania — in what was a coordinated effort of terrorism on American soil using hijacked planes.
Bush, who remembers being a teacher in the Madisonville school system in 2001 when the attacks occurred, said he didn’t know who initially lowered it in Cadiz.
But 20 years later, it needed to be displayed.
So Bush turned to a senior, Vincent McQuade, to begin carrying out preservation efforts.
McQuade, currently learning laser engraving under Lori Ricks, designed a placard in Corel Draw — etching out the New York skyline with its Twin Towers still standing.
He wasn’t alive on September 11, 2001, but McQuade knows its events have shaped his and his family’s life.
McQuade and Bush both knew that, in order to properly preserve an American flag, one must know how to officially and effectively fold its Stars and Bars.
Who better person to ask than another fellow senior, Colson Thomas, to help?
A member of the Boys Scouts of America who’s quickly approaching the rank of Eagle Scout, Thomas, with help from a friend, spent the entire 2020-21 school year raising and lowering the school’s flags all over campus.
He’s not been able to do it so far this school year, save the first day of school. But when asked to assist with this specific project, he didn’t hesitate…because the American flag means that much to him, as does the day of September 11, 2001.
So while this school district will continue to change and evolve with new faculty, staff and buildings, one thing will remain.
An American flag, forever displayed.
For those who visit the high school, the flag is located in the lobby and to the right.
Extra, extra
The biggest reason he and a friend lowered the American flag daily last year, Colson said, was because it helped maintain some sort of perspective and reverence.
At the moment, he needs someone this year willing to be up and ready at 6:45 a.m. every weekday to return to the tradition.
Bush, meanwhile, said that back in 2001, it was easy to let the mornings slip by and not think about the “Pledge of Allegiance.”
He remembered that on September 11, 2001, the pledge didn’t play inside his Madisonville school.
On September 12, and everyday thereafter, it did.
Bush added nothing seemed intentional or irreverent. Over time, things had just changed. The smaller details had become less important.
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