Patriotic Assembly at Pequea ES includes flag presentation

U.S. Rep. Lloyd Smucker visited Pequea Elementary School Friday to present a flag to the mother of fallen Marine Cpl. Eric M. Torbert Jr. during an emotional Patriotic Assembly.

The event included the Pequea Color Guard and student readings on the significance of Memorial Day and the branches of the military. Fourth-grader Kennedy Dings sang “God Bless the U.S.A.” before Smucker addressed the students, teachers and guests about why we celebrate Memorial Day, which falls on May 29 this year.

The congressman then presented a flag that flew over the U.S. Capitol to Denise Torbert, a Pequea cafeteria worker whose son, Eric, was killed during combat operations in Afghanistan in December 2010.

The flag also commemorates the naming of a bridge on Route 741 over the Conestoga River in honor of him earlier this year.

Cpl. Torbert was a 2003 graduate of Penn Manor High School.

As part of the assembly, Pequea students and staff dressed in patriotic colors, and the school grounds were lined with American flags.

Many thanks to Rep. Smucker for visiting the school and presenting the flag to Mrs. Torbert.