Jason McLeod died serving our country and defending western civilization. Jason McLeod died from a mortar round in southern Afghanistan. Jason McLeod attended the Richard Bernotas Middle School a decade ago.

On the day that Jason’s remains were returned to Crystal Lake, all the students stood out in the cold to show respect as he passed by. And then, two days later, they all stood in the cold a second time as he passed again, traveling to his gravesite.

That is why a few members of the Patriot Guard Riders returned to the school. They brought a PGR flag as a token of solidarity with fellow patriots. They assembled in the parking lot and then they went in to identify themselves.

Principal Sorensen asked why we do it. There are many ways to answer that. Eric started with, “Do you have a computer back there? Type in ‘God hates fags dot com.’”

From the photo above, I think there was a moment when the middle school principal wondered which side we were on.

After a minute or two, they called the student council co-presidents out of class and we all went to the library.

The school set-up a video camera in the library. They can broadcast throughout the building and would replay the presentation the next morning. They asked the PGR leaders to lead the school in the Pledge of Allegiance.

We must never yield one inch on the Pledge. Tradition is everything. If the Pledge were a new idea, it would not be adopted.

Fred said a few words. The flag was transferred. Morgan said a few words. We pledged our allegiance to the republic that our flag represents, an indivisible nation under God “with liberty and justice for all.”

Since we were in the library, it was no surprise that librarian Jessica Smith was there. After the tape was ready for broadcast the next morning, we talked and she made an interesting comment.

She said that the students wanted to know what to do when the Jason passed in the hearse. Can they cheer? Should they applaud? Must they salute?

When an authority figure is asked a question like that by a middle-schooler, an answer must be produced. It is a legitimate question and the students need to be confident in their actions. Everyone wanted to do the right thing – they just weren’t sure what it was.

The truth is that it really doesn’t matter as long as you are trying. You can salute or you can stand at attention. You can wave the flag or you can hold it high. You can smile or you can cry.

What you cannot do is minimize or ignore the heroic choices this fine, young American made. Just ten years ago, Jason McLeod walked the halls of the Richard F. Bernotas Middle School. Sometime during those ten years, he decided to enlist in his country’s army during a war. He volunteered.

He volunteered to do the right thing as he understood it.

He understood he had a duty to his country and his countrymen.

He tried to do his duty as God gave him the light to see that duty.

Well done, Jason.

Well done, RFB Middle School.

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