Many years ago, I recall standing with my class, at attention, as we proudly sang our national anthem, and watched the flag of our nation, rise and flutter in the breeze. Fast forward to the more recent past, my wife and I were in Beijing, sunrise on a Sunday morning. A stunning Beijing sky, with a burnt orange sun, rising majestically on the horizon, we watched in awe the Flag Raising Ceremony in Tiananmen Square… the Flag Raising Troupe, emerging in stunning synchronicity, with proud faces and glints in their eyes, from the gates of the Forbidden City. Feeling a deep emotion, glancing at the people around me who with tears in their eyes watched and participated in this moment of significant ceremony. These are indelible memories.
Therefore, one of our most important events and ceremonies in our school is the Flag Raising Ceremony… our young men and young women, proudly carrying the flag, our school singing the national anthem, as the Chinese Flag rises with the breeze to its apex of pride. I love to see the same glint of pride and love of country in the eyes and faces of our children. Our Chinese Cultural Heritage is indeed close to our hearts.