HOULTON, Maine — It is just the simple gestures that mean so much. And, for Isaac Campbell, 10, of Houlton one act of kindness struck him to his core, bringing thankful tears to his eyes.
In April, Campbell, son of Elisha Haney and Brian Campbell of Houlton, was part of a Kids Say in the Houlton Pioneer Times during a special Home Improvement section. When asked “‘If you could add anything to your house, what would it be?” Campbell’s simple and sincere answer — the United States flag — caught the eye of one United States serviceman and wife, which prompted them to respond.
U.S. Navy Senior Chief Petty Officer John J. Schools (J.J.) and Alysia, who are stationed in Norfolk, Va. saw Campbell’s request when looking through the edition of their hometown newspaper.
“For Alysia and I that hit home very hard,” said Schools, as his eyes teared and his voice quivered. “I get emotional over this because the flag is very important to me. A lot of us think of Memorial Day weekend as the start of summer … summertime cookouts, camping, a day off from school … but for our family, it means a little bit more than that. It is to honor our fallen, who died for our country. And that is what our flag represents.”
Last Friday, the Houlton Southside School held an assembly to present monthly attendance awards. It was then, that Principal Cindy Peterson let the students in on a secret.
“We have a special surprise that fits in with the holiday,” she said speaking of Memorial Day. “I cannot express to you how exciting and important this is.”
That’s when Schools appeared via Skype to Houlton Southside students. Schools serves on the aircraft carrier the USS George H. W. Bush. As the clouds unloaded and the thunder rolled, Campbell opened a package and pulled out a folded United States flag that had flown while the crew was underway on the Atlantic Ocean, along other gifts.
“I went out to sea and I flew that flag on the mast,” said Schools.
With the flag and gifts in hand, the dam broke and Campbell put his head down as his mother kissed him on the head.
“It is very emotional,” said Haney. “I did not know it would go this far.”
Schools agreed, “We never thought it would be this big of a deal. All we wanted to do is get this kid a flag.”
When Haney saw the answer her son had given to the newspaper she asked him why he would choose the American flag? Again, an honest, innocent answer.
“I want to be in the navy when I get older,” he said.
On hand at the assembly was School’s mother, Lynda.
“I think this was wonderful,” she said. “I am so proud of him. They came up with this idea not knowing who this child was. I always thought JJ looked like a Navy guy with his blonde hair, and I told Isaac, you have blonde hair, so you are going to join the Navy.”
When talking via Skype, Schools admitted, “I had a hard time keeping it together. I get so emotional about this.
His mother replied, “It was awesome.” As she cried, she said, “I am so very proud of both of you.”
Just before leaving the assembly, Campbell came to the stage to once again speak to Schools. As he sobbed, his voice squeaked out, “Thank you so much.”
As Campbell continued to show his emotion, he looked into the monitor and Schools said, “We want to thank you. You are a good kid. We are proud of you. We are very proud of you. Be a good person and keep doing what you are doing. We got you a flag. I hope you enjoy it.”
“If I could have gotten you a hundred flags, I would have gotten you a hundred flags,” added Alysia.
Inside Campbell’s package was a bag. It had a ship’s coin, a photograph of the USS George H.W. Bush, a letter from the Command Master Chief and a little cut out star.
“That star is a piece of a flag we flew while on deployment, while we were in the Persian Gulf,” said Schools. “As flags got torn apart on the mast, I cut the stars out and put them in a package with a saying inside of them that said, ‘I am part of the United State flag. I was flown aboard the USS George H.W. Bush, while deployed during Operation Enduring Freedom. Please keep me for a reminder for the sacrifices made for your freedoms by our military and their families.”
Editor’s note: Campbell had seen a flag at his grandmother’s house that was given in honor of his great grandfather’s service to the country. However, his grandmother’s home was lost to fire and so was the flag.
