CNBNews

By Chris Concannon

NEWS Correspondent

A group of 5^th-7^th Grade students from Bellmawr honored U.S. Army PFC Joshua Levine by raising a flag that they signed at a ceremony February 9 at Bell Oaks Middle School.

The flag was procured by students in Miss Davenport’s classes and two 7^th Grade classes, taught by Mrs. Amiss and Mrs. Rosemary Haughton, mother of PFC Levine, 20.

It was donated by the family of Bell Oaks Custodian Ken Davidson, a Vietnam veteran himself.

He said the family heirloom had originally flown over the U.S. Capitol in Washington, DC, following the 9/11 terrorist attacks.

Mrs. Houghton, the very proud military mom, said the flag was signed by the Bellmawr school community, and was hung at the Command Post at the Joint Security Station, in Baghdad, Iraq, by 1^st Sergeant Richard Moore, to remind the Infantry soldiers of Charlie Company that they support them all.

Her son, PFC Josh Levine, is currently assigned to the 10^th Mountain Division, out of Ft. Drum, NY, and attached to Charlie Company of the 2^nd Battalion 14^th Infantry. He transported the flag back from his Iraqi duty station during his recent leave.

A saw gunner by assignment, Levine, of Egg Harbor Township, has been on active duty for the last two years, and was scheduled to re-deploy to Iraq on Saturday, February 13.

Assisting PFC Levine in the flag-raising were Bellmawr custodians Glenn Cook and Mr. Davidson.

Several officials were pre-sent, including Mike Hackett and John “Jack” Newcomb of VFW Post 7410, Bell Oaks Principal Anthony Farinelli, and Bellmawr Schools Superintendent Annette Castiglione.

Mrs. Houghton is spearheading Operation Momma Bear Treats for Troops, and is collecting various candies, treats and toiletries.

Following the event, everyone there applauded PFC Levine, thanking him for his continued service to this great nation.