thedrifter
09-02-09, 07:42 AM
Article published Wednesday, September 2, 2009
Flag flown in Iraq given to Perrysburg High School as thanks for letting dad watch graduation
By BRIDGET THARP
BLADE STAFF WRITER
Perrysburg High School adminstrators recently received a gift from the U.S. Marine Corps as thanks for helping one of their officers in Iraq watch his daughter graduate.
Sgt. Major James Betancourt, 41, of Perrysburg, was serving overseas and was unable to attend the May commencement of his oldest daughter, Michelle Betancourt.
WTOL News 11 asked the high school to help them coordinate a satellite broadcast for him, Principal Michael Short said.
"It didn't take a lot of extra time for us - a few phone calls and extra hour of work for the father and daughter to share that special moment together," Mr. Short said.
The principal acknowledged the special broadcast when he spoke at the ceremony. Several parents and students were emotional after the announcement that Michelle's dad was watching from the Middle East, he said.
The sergeant's only complaint, his mother said, was that the family didn't holler enough when his daughter accepted her diploma.
"He heard everything," Cindy Betancourt said. "He even made a comment, that, 'Why didn't you yell when Michelle walked.' We're a very, um, joyful family. But they told us we weren't supposed to make any noise."
Sergeant Major Betancourt dropped the flag off at the high school when he was visiting early last month from his new post in California.
With it was a certificate that said the flag was flown over Al Asad Airfield in northern Iraq.
"Your assistance allowed SgtMaj Betancourt to witness a milestone in his daughter's life that he would have otherwise missed. Your support is a testament of America's commitment to her Marines," the certificate read.
The flag and the certificate were shared with high school staff during a school board meeting last week, the principal said. The flag will be displayed in a glass cabinet in the main office of the high school.
Contact Bridget Tharp at:
btharp@theblade.com
or 419-724-6086.
Ellie
Flag flown in Iraq given to Perrysburg High School as thanks for letting dad watch graduation
By BRIDGET THARP
BLADE STAFF WRITER
Perrysburg High School adminstrators recently received a gift from the U.S. Marine Corps as thanks for helping one of their officers in Iraq watch his daughter graduate.
Sgt. Major James Betancourt, 41, of Perrysburg, was serving overseas and was unable to attend the May commencement of his oldest daughter, Michelle Betancourt.
WTOL News 11 asked the high school to help them coordinate a satellite broadcast for him, Principal Michael Short said.
"It didn't take a lot of extra time for us - a few phone calls and extra hour of work for the father and daughter to share that special moment together," Mr. Short said.
The principal acknowledged the special broadcast when he spoke at the ceremony. Several parents and students were emotional after the announcement that Michelle's dad was watching from the Middle East, he said.
The sergeant's only complaint, his mother said, was that the family didn't holler enough when his daughter accepted her diploma.
"He heard everything," Cindy Betancourt said. "He even made a comment, that, 'Why didn't you yell when Michelle walked.' We're a very, um, joyful family. But they told us we weren't supposed to make any noise."
Sergeant Major Betancourt dropped the flag off at the high school when he was visiting early last month from his new post in California.
With it was a certificate that said the flag was flown over Al Asad Airfield in northern Iraq.
"Your assistance allowed SgtMaj Betancourt to witness a milestone in his daughter's life that he would have otherwise missed. Your support is a testament of America's commitment to her Marines," the certificate read.
The flag and the certificate were shared with high school staff during a school board meeting last week, the principal said. The flag will be displayed in a glass cabinet in the main office of the high school.
Contact Bridget Tharp at:
btharp@theblade.com
or 419-724-6086.
Ellie