Marshalltown High School senior Nathaniel Harris accepts a $1,000 check from Gayle, left, and Vic Hellberg. The money will be used to purchase American flags for district classrooms.
Marshalltown High School senior Nathaniel Harris feels patriotism could be represented more in schools and a local couple is on the same page.
Vic and Gayle Hellberg, of Hellberg’s Jewelers, presented a check to a grateful Harris on March 31 at MHS to purchase American flags for classrooms in Marshalltown Schools (many classrooms in the district do not have flags).
Harris has presented to the school board about his wish to grant the opportunity for students district-wide to recite the Pledge of Allegiance. The pledge is currently recited only at the lower grade levels. Along with that request, the need arose for flags in classrooms.
With this donation, that is no longer a need.
Vic Hellberg, a U.S. Navy veteran, said both he and his wife Gayle come from families with strong military backgrounds. He also feels more can be done to instill patriotism in the younger generation.
“We need to instill it in the young folks,” Vic Hellberg said.
The donation will be paid to the American Legion and Harris will be able to draw from this fund to supply flags in classrooms. Harris was pleasantly surprised when he learned of the donation.
“It’s incredible,” Harris said. “It’s very generous.”
Harris is expected to present to the school board at a later date about his request on the Pledge of Allegiance. There is currently no policy on the pledge in the district.
