MATTAPOISETT — Principal Rose Bowman said that she wished she had an “aerial view” of the “glorious sight” at the Center School’s annual Flag Day celebration.

A sea of red, white and blue stretched across the Center School front lawn on Tuesday, June 14 as students from all grades gathered around the flagpole to celebrate the symbol of America’s freedom.

Ray Andrews from Mattapoisett’s chapter of the American Legion delivered the pledge of allegiance and remarks about patriotism.

“You are the future of the United States,” he addressed the children.

Grade levels took turns singing songs and delivering poetry all in honor of the flag, and there were performances by the Old Hammondtown School Band, led by the band’s director, Brent Alger.

As Bowman, who is retiring at the end of this school year, stepped away from the podium to conclude her final Flag Day ceremony with the Center School, Assistant Principal Kevin Tavares stopped her.

“You didn’t think we’d let you get away that easy, did you?” he said, telling her it was her turn to sit down.

Members of the Parent Teacher Association stepped forward to thank Bowman with two gifts: an etching of the Center School, which they partnered with The Rivershops to secure, and a copy of the “Kindergarten Poem’’ that Bowman wrote and reads at every kindergarten orientation.

“It makes every parent cry,” said Andrea Wall Osborne of the PTA, “and now we think this will make you cry.”

Bowman was in tears as she thanked the PTA “from the bottom of [her] heart” for their gift.