Nov. 25, 7-year-old Jamal Washington was playing in his front yard when a funeral procession passed by.

He stopped what he was doing, stood at attention and put his hand over his heart as the procession went by. The gesture impressed Mayor George Flaggs Jr., one of the members of the procession, which was for his nephew who had been killed in a wreck, and he decided to reward the young man for his actions.

Tuesday afternoon at City Hall, Flaggs gave Jamal a bicycle as a reward for his behavior when the funeral passed by.

“I was impressed by this young man’s actions,” he said. “He stood at attention with his hand over his heart and showed reverence as the procession passed by. We have adults who don’t even pull over when a funeral procession passes by.”

“I feel good,” Jamal said of his reward. When he was asked what he did to get the mayor’s attention, he stood up and put his hand over his heart. His mother, Wynekia Stewart, called Flaggs’ gesture “very nice” adding, “He’s always wanted a bike.”

“This young man is an example to everyone,” the mayor said. “I think we should reward young people when they do something good. We hear a lot about young people when they do something bad; we need to recognize them when they do something good.”

About John Surratt

John Surratt is a graduate of Louisiana State University with a degree in general studies. He has worked as an editor, reporter and photographer for newspapers in Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama. He has been a member of The Vicksburg Post staff since 2011 and covers city government. He and his wife attend St. Paul Catholic Church and he is a member of the Port City Kiwanis Club.

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