The search for the young boy who picked up a fallen flag during Bradford’s Memorial Day parade is over.
Cameron Bucher, 10, will be entering fifth grade at School Street Elementary School in the fall. His mother, Michele Bucher, explained she learned an Era reporter was looking for her son when the boy’s grandmother spotted the column in the newspaper and told them about it.
Barely able to contain his excitement, Cameron told The Era on Friday what had made him decide to run out into the street — bypassing the candy and heading for the Stars and Stripes instead.
“I have two grandfathers that are veterans and right now my brother, Chandler, is in the Air Force. It gave me a boost and I felt like I had to do it for my country,” Cameron said. He added that the flag, which fell off of a truck, landed near a piece of candy; a nearby child chose to take the candy while Cameron chose to take the flag.
“My favorite part about the parade is when I picked up the flag. I ran back to my seat and then I shouted out ‘America!’ and waved my flag,” added Cameron.
When asked for his definition of being patriotic, he said, “I would say the meaning would be that you support your country through everything that is going on and you never give up on it.”
Cameron said he believes that those who do not have a sense of patriotism should realize how great America is and that America is more than just a place to live; he also believes that people should socialize more and make new bonds with others. In addition, he said he wishes more jobs would be created so that every person can live happily.
