From a young age, he was taught to uphold his beliefs and fight for them with determination. So when Cameron Blasek drove to school, the American flag still flew proudly on his truck, despite the school instructing him to remove it. He parked in the school parking lot and walked to his classroom, unsure of what would unfold.
The 17-year-old high school student from St. Leon, Indiana, and his friends had been displaying the American flag on his truck since summer, following the tradition of his father and uncles who also hung flags on their trucks. As autumn arrived, his friends took down their flags, but Cameron continued to display his.
His truck, one of the largest in the area, proudly showcased the stars and stripes for all the students and staff at East Central High School to see.
“Since I was a kid, there has always been a flag in the front yard of my house,” Cameron said. He explained that old photos and videos of his father’s and uncles’ flags inspired him, noting that many of his family members had served in the military. “I do this out of respect.”
For several months, everything seemed normal with the school and his flag on the truck. The first semester passed uneventfully, and then the second semester began. Just before students went on spring break, on March 7th, things took a turn.
“I was pulled aside at lunch by the vice principal and a guidance counselor who told me, ‘Hey, you need to take that flag down from the back of your truck,'” Cameron told the Epoch Times. “I really didn’t understand why, they didn’t give me a direct reason.”
“They told me it was the principal’s decision. The principal said, ‘Well, if you don’t take it down, I’m going to write you up, document your insubordination.'”
The standoff stirred conflict in Cameron’s mind: on one side, he firmly stood by his right to display the flag, even reciting the school’s own flag code to the vice principal and guidance counselor. On the other side, he had to graduate, and expulsion from the school could seriously hinder his career plans.
“I was caught off guard, and I was in shock, and I was scared,” Cameron said.
“This is my last year of high school,” he said, “In today’s society, you need a diploma to do anything. So, I felt threatened when the principal said I would be recorded for disobedience, and I might be expelled or suspended because of it.”
How did he respond? After careful consideration and discussions with his parents, he said he complied with the rules, and the flag was legally displayed according to regulations.
The Blasek family fully supported their son’s decision to drive to school the next day with the American flag still flying proudly on his truck.
“Since I was a child, I have been taught to always stand by my beliefs,” he said. “Never back down.”
The principal called him to the principal’s office. Cameron went in and, just like the day before with the vice principal and guidance counselor, he loudly recited the flag code to the principal.
“They really didn’t have anything to counter what I was saying,” Cameron told the Epoch Times.
And the result? Shortly thereafter, for reasons unknown to him, East Central High School Principal Tom Black completely reversed his position online regarding Cameron’s flag display. He wrote:
“After much thought, I realize the importance of the American flag as a symbol of unity and national identity. I am pleased to announce that we will allow the display of the American flag in the East Central High School parking lot.”
Cameron was unsure why this change occurred. The only explanation he received was that the flag “might be seen as offensive to other students,” he said. “If I fly that flag, others might fly more offensive flags.”
As for why they found this flag offensive, he said he was “clueless,” but “glad” his rights were upheld.
“I feel good,” he told the Epoch Times. “I just wanted to fly the flag on the back of my truck, and I’m happy I can do that now.”
The senior student, self-proclaimed history enthusiast and participant in the school welding project, is currently exploring different branches of the military as potential career options after graduation.
(The original article “Indiana Student Refuses to Remove American Flag From Truck After School Staff Call It ‘Offensive'” was published on the English edition of the Epoch Times website. Editor: Han Yu)