Gwinnett Daily Post

HOSCHTON - Mill Creek High School principal Jim Markham said he was honored to fly a U.S. flag at graduation that had flown over the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad.

The flag was given to the Gwinnett County school by Bruce Bass, an Embassy employee and the uncle of Mill Creek graduate Lauren Stimis. The school raised it during its Thursday evening commencement ceremony.

"It's crazy to me that something so special could come from my family," Stimis said. "I respect him a lot for what he does."

Stimis said her uncle asked the principal if the school would fly the flag in honor of those who have served in the military.

"A flag is a great symbol," said Markham, who served in the military. "When you know where the flag came from and what it stands for, it makes it more powerful.

"We'll fly that flag for a long, long time," Markham added, "Then we'll put it in a vacuum seal and display it in the building."