Student Goes Viral for Stopping, Paying Respect to the Flag Even Under the Rain

Advertisement

It is said that patriotism is difficult to find in the young generation – and it’s rare to see people paying respect to the flag and stopping on their tracks when the National Anthem is played. But one young lady recently went viral for stopping and paying respect to the flag even though she was under the rain!

In a post on Facebook, Teacher Rouanne Marie Ablog shared that the young student stopped on her tracks when the National Anthem played. It was raining and the Grade 7 student identified as Chelsea Rapisura would have been soaked. Yet the young lady did not think about what could happen if she gets soaked in the rain as she stood there, paying respect to the flag.


The teacher tried to call Chelsea and make her run for cover, but the student did not budge. She stood there until the last strains of the National Anthem ended. It was only then that she ran to the school building, but her uniform and bag were already wet by then.


Photo credit: Rouanne Marie Ablog / Facebook

The young woman earned praise from netizens; though her action also received mixed reactions.

Many netizens pointed out though it is very important to pay respects to the flag and the National Anthem, there are situations where it is possible to bend the rules – and one of that surely applies to this student. After all, is the flag more important than the student’s health? She could get sick from getting soaked in the rain as she stood there.


Photo credit: Rouanne Marie Ablog / Facebook


The teacher received criticism from some netizens for ‘ruining’ the girl’s patriotic moment by being unpatriotic herself as she took the photo.

“This girl should be emulated. I salute her. But wait a minute, the teacher was taking pictures while the national anthem was playing?” a netizen commented.

But many netizens didn’t mind.




Photo credit: Rouanne Marie Ablog / Facebook

“My admiration goes to the student. And my appreciation with emphathy the teacher who yelled to get her take cover from the rain. The student didn't move in spite her proding. And now maybe at this point that the teacher realized that she is witnessing an exemplary patriotic gesture, didn't dare spoil this patriot's moment. In an instinctive move as she perceives this is worth sharing, took a picture as proof,” a netizen commented on the post.