What’s Happening:

Christopher Hartless is a proud American teenager who respects his country and its flag. He openly shows his support and even decorated his pickup truck with flags that fly in the breeze as he drives along the roadways of Bedford County, Virginia.

He even displayed his pride for the flag when he drove to school. Unfortunately, school officials don’t support the American flag like Hartless. They took a heartless attitude toward his flag display and persecuted him for standing for his constitutional rights of free speech and expression.

Staunton River High School officials told him to take down his flags because they were “distraction.” Hartless refused and the school acted against him. He had to choose between his flags or riding the bus to school. Like any cunning patriot, Hartless turned the oppression of school officials against them.

From The Daily Wire:

“My family fought for America and I feel like I should be able to represent the flag that they fought for,” Hartless said. “I don’t understand how it’s distracting if they have one on the flagpole that every other student can see.”

Hartless refused to bow to the oppressive demands of school officials and packed his supplies for a new adventure – homeschool. He can now fly his flags whenever he wants, and the school can only check off one less student. Hartless has the full support of his friends and family.

His stepmother, Christina Kingery, chimed in, “I told my son if this is what he’s believing in, then we are both going to stand behind him all the way. …

The school quoted its “student parking contract” which they say states, “Large flags or banners are not allowed to be flown or displayed on vehicles due to their distractive nature…” Officials said in a statement, “Please be assured that we proudly fly the American flag throughout the school, and the Pledge of Allegiance is recited every morning.”

So why not change the “parking contract” to allow for students to express themselves more freely in support of this country? That seems to be more in line with daily school activities and the spirit of patriotism than punishing students. How “distracting” can a few flags be when they’re on pickups in the parking lot outside the classrooms?

This is a sad example of school officials not thinking like Americans but instead acting like wannabe oppressors of free speech. What is ironic is that the National D-Day Memorial is in Bedford County. It was built to honor American troops who helped invade France at Normandy on June 6, 1944, during World War II.

Hartless deserves support for his patriotic expression. He should focus on one possible bright outcome in this situation. Considering the state of public education in America today, he may be setting himself up for a better learning experience at home.

No one will infringe upon his opportunity while homeschooling to learn more from historic examples of how to stand strong against those who oppress others. Those 19 World War II GIs from Bedford County who are honored at the National D-Day Memorial for their ultimate sacrifice would salute him.

Key Takeaways:

• Virginia high school student stands strong for right to fly U.S. flags.
• School officials lose the battle as tables are turned against them.
• “Parking contract” is used to suppress expression in patriotic community.

Source: The Daily Wire