Deirdre Newman As the lyrics of “The...

Deirdre Newman

As the lyrics of “The Star Spangled Banner” washed over the

students and crowd gathered Monday for Newport Elementary’s School’s

“Proud to be an American Day,” third-grader Ben Tolan started waving

his miniature flag to the beat, swept up in the patriotic passion of

the moment.

Other students followed his cue, paying homage with their own

star-spangled banners -- some wildly like an orchestra conductor

waving a baton, others more solemnly, as if the Statue of Liberty

were waving her torch.

On a sun-drenched morning, the second annual celebration took

place against a picture-perfect backdrop of ocean waves breaking on

shore, providing natural crescendos for the musical numbers. The

Lynx, a replica 1812 privateer, also made a guest appearance, firing

off its cannons every so often to punctuate the patriotic

celebration.

The event paid tribute to the many freedoms Americans enjoy. The

celebration started last year in response to the Sept. 11 terrorist

attacks. This year it focused on diversity. Twenty-four persons from

around the community, including immigrants from Japan and India and a

Muslim student, kicked off the festivities.

They filed in front of the crowd, holding patriotic pictures of

the Liberty Bell and Mt. Rushmore. Corey Thompson, a sixth-grader at

the school who is also a member of the Apache Indian Tribe, dressed

as a colorful war dancer and held a picture of a peace officer and a

firefighter.

“I felt special because [today] is a big thing,” Corey said.

Mayor Tod Ridgeway, whose two children attend Newport Elementary,

spoke about American character, pointing to Abraham Lincoln as a

historical figure he idolizes.

“He protected diversity, which is at the heart of democracy,”

Ridgeway said. “He taught tolerance and forgiveness.”

World War II and Korean War veteran Col. Walker “Bud” Mahurin

encouraged the students to do whatever it takes to preserve America’s

many freedoms.

“I’m lucky to have had the chance to fight for this country,”

Mahurin said. “There are many people who would envy us and try to

destroy our way of life. I’m passing the baton so you will all go

faster, farther and be more successful than I. ... I know our nation

is in great hands.”

Sixth-grader Megan Kipp, who won first place in a statewide

American Legion essay contest about why the flag should be respected,

got to share her reasons.

“One reason is it gives us a sign of freedom,” Megan said. “I like

to think of the flag like a family portrait that shows all the things

our country has accomplished. The red is bloodshed and fighting for

peace. The white represents the honest men and women working for the

U.S. government, and the blue is the clear sky above them.”

Third-grader Jackie Rosales said she enjoyed the celebration.

“I think it was great,” Jackie said. “I sang along with “Proud to

be an American.”

First-grade teacher Sharon Fairborn said the event evoked

different emotions than last year.

“I remember last year feeling overwhelmed,” Fairborn said. “This

year it felt more personal. I think of all the years I’ve been

[teaching] and my three children who went here and I felt warm.”

Principal Denise Knutsen said she hopes the celebration inspires

her students to emulate some of the speakers.

“They provide examples of good character, and that’s what children

need to see,” Knutsen said. “A lot of time on the news, children see

the negative things. I want them to see good examples and models. A

lot of kids probably walked away saying, ‘I want to be like him.’”

* DEIRDRE NEWMAN covers education. She may be reached at (949)

574-4221 or by e-mail at deirdre.newman@latimes.com.