Clay County students honored for viral photo of removing flag in rain

Two Clay County students who were captured in a picture taking down a flag in the pouring rain are being honored.

Isaac Davis and Nate Helmuth said they were inside Coppergate Elementary and noticed it was raining and windy.

They didn’t think twice about braving the rain to take down the flag.

“We didn’t want the flag to just stay out there when it was pouring down rain,” Helmuth told Action News Jax.

One of their teachers, Kim Miskowski, took a quick picture and shared it on the school’s Facebook page.

“I knew it was powerful,” Miskowski said.

School leaders said the photo has received national attention. It also caught the eye of the American Security Council Foundation.

On Thursday, the foundation recognized the two sixth-graders with citizenship awards in front of their classmates.

“These two men really embody the spirit of the award and they deserve it,” Josh McIntosh, with the American Security Council Foundation said.

Foundation members said teaching this type of integrity is important. They’re partnering with Coppergate to help the victims of Hurricane Harvey.

Students at the elementary school told Action News Jax they’ve already learned an important lesson.

“Anyone  can do the right thing, even when no one’s looking,” sixth-grader Breanna Cox.

The boys said they’re honored, but that they weren’t in it for the attention. “We didn’t want the flag to get wet,” Davis said.

On Friday, the pair will be recognized by Camp Blanding, and will then will be presented with an award by family members of fallen servicemen and women.

Cox Media Group