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Two High School Students Previously Suspended for Carrying First Responder Flags Are Awarded College Scholarships

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Brady Williams and Jarad Bentley, the two high school students from Ohio who were briefly suspended from their football team for carrying flags onto the field on September 11th, have been awarded scholarships.

Williams, the son of a sheriff’s deputy, carried a “Thin Blue Line” flag. Meanwhile Bentley, the son of a fireman, carried a “Thin Red Line” flag onto the field.

The Little Miami Board of Education understood the students’ desire to “show their support of our first responders on the anniversary of 9/11,” the board said. However, they still did not obtain permission from school officials to carry the flags – hence their suspension.

The board later overturned their suspension after concluding that politics did not motivate their actions.

Scholarships for Taking a Stand

Local non-profit group “Holiday for Heroes” said on Friday that it will award Williams and Bentley scholarships for their statement.

“Brady and Jarad are true PATRIOTS,” the group said in a press release. “They did something last Friday that showed they are far beyond their years,” they added. “These men stood up for a cause they believe in. As they took the field with flags in hand it reminded us how we felt 19 years ago, heartbroken yet strong and united.”

“The pride and respect they have for not only their parents, but for the victims and hundreds of Police/Fire/First Responders killed in the 9/11 attacks. Their stand was not one of politics or protest, simply an act to show their honor, respect and reflection during a Patriot Night Program at their high school football game,” Holiday for Heroes wrote on Facebook. “We are excited to honor them and announce TWO of this years [sic] scholarship recipients! CONGRATULATIONS BRADY AND JARAD!”

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Photo by *Hajee/Flickr

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