An old flag gets a new life at Rolla High School.
Rolla High School now flies a new American flag thanks to one selfless teacher, Nancy Lowrey. She donated the flag that covered her brother’s casket in honor of Veterans Day. Lowrey’s brother, Staff Sgt. Gary Hemsath, lost his life after being a victim of a hit and run accident while serving overseas 40 years ago. He was only 29 when he died.
Lowrey has had the flag in her possession since he passed away December 22nd, 1975. She recently got the feeling she should honor him by doing something distinct with the flag. This inspired her to donate it to the school where she teaches social sciences. The flag now resides in the Bulldog Run circle at the high school. Color guard members of Boy Scout Troop 83 helped raise the flag during a special ceremony. They performed a special dedication to all the country’s service men and women who fought for their country as well as all faculty and student at RHS.
Hemsath enlisted in the US Army in 1967. After completing basic training, he was set overseas to Korea and later West Germany. He performed the duties of a company clerk in the 2nd Infantry Indianhead Division. Driving home late one night, his car broke down, and while investigating the problem, Hemsath was struck by another car and died a week later. Lowrey was 19 at the time. She also says, “I admired his integrity, his honesty, and his quirky sense of humor.”
Credit: The Rolla Daily News
