You’re never too young to start paying homage to the men and women who have fought and are currently fighting for your freedoms.

That is the message Lehighton Area School District and Carbon County officials are sending to students about to attend Lehighton’s new elementary center for the first time next week.

On Monday afternoon, Carbon commissioners, in conjunction with the county Veterans Affairs department, donated an American flag for each classroom in the school, which opens Sept. 4 for all K-5 students in the district.

“The district reached out to us and we thought it was a great idea,” said Commissioners’ Chairman Wayne Nothstein. “It helps teach respect for the flag. It’s also an incentive to learn more about veterans and what the flag is all about.”

The elementary center will have two principals; one for the K-2 wing, Aaron Sebelin, and another for the 3-5 wing, Dr. Mark McGalla.

Sebelin said Monday it was important to stress the importance of veterans in the new building right out of the gate.

“We want our kids to learn at the earliest age to respect and be thankful for our veterans,” he said. “We wanted to be sure we had the red, white and blue flags displayed proudly in each of our classrooms.”

Lehighton isn’t planning on stopping inside the classroom. Before Monday’s event, five elementary students raised the flag outside the school for the first time. Students included Abby Bauder, Ben Houser, Ava Houser, Morgan Shaffer and Avery Bauder.

Behind the flagpole, what is now an empty brick wall will eventually be lined with plaques and other items honoring veterans groups around Lehighton.

“We have a few different ideas to incorporate veterans into not just the physical school, but also into our lesson plans,” Sebelin said. “We’ll be honoring them at different times and have them come in to talk to the students. They’re very important to us.”

One of Lehighton’s board members, Wayne Wentz, is a veteran of the U.S. Navy, having served 13 months in Vietnam attached to the 3rd Marine Division in I Corp supplying troops headquartered in Danang. Monday’s flag donation held an extra significance for him.

“This is quite an honor,” Wentz said. “The flag means everything to us. A lot of people fought and died for that flag. To have these young kids here today representing the district, it’s a great day. No matter what your differences are here in Lehighton, we all support the veterans.”

Inside the school, cleaning crews were out in full force Monday with eight days to go before the doors open for students.

“Things are looking great,” Sebelin said. “We are very, very close to being completely ready. We have Meet the Teacher night and kindergarten orientation this coming week. I think when everyone walks through and sees what is available to the students of our district, they’ll be so excited and enthusiastic, just like the kids are here today.”