Rocky Mount, N.C. - During any given athletics season, the United States National Anthem is played roughly 40 times over the loud speakers in North Carolina Wesleyan's Everett Gymnasium. Around a dozen of those times, Director of Athletics and head men's basketball coach John Thompson stands along with his team, hand over heart, showing reverence to our country's flag. The flag Thompson eyes, however, has a special meaning for the veteran coach currently in his 21st season with the Battling Bishops. The flag Thompson eyes is a Deceased Veterans Burial Flag given in honor of his father, Frank N. Thompson.
A new addition to Everett Gymnasium this season, the 5' x 9.5' American flag was donated by Thompson over the summer and recently framed. Below the frame is a small plaque that reads, in part, "In Honor of Frank N. Thompson, World War II Veteran, Army Air Corps."
The elder Thompson (1920-1984) was a sergeant with U.S. Army before "retiring' into a career in radio and television news. He spent time as the News Director at WTVD News Channel 11, and he also served as Director of Public Relations for the North Carolina State Department of Human Resources. The younger Thompson speaks fondly of his father and the opportunity to honor him in this way.
"I am so humbled to have that flag in Everett Gymnasium," he said. "I have been thinking about this for a long time, but I wasn't ready to share the flag that I've kept in my office at home. This summer, however, I decided the time was right and am thrilled to be able to honor Dad in this way."
Thompson continued, "Now, I think of him every time I step in the gym, and I am glad that others are able to know who he was. He most deservedly is part of what is called The Greatest Generation, and I am so proud to call him my father."
And though Mr. Frank N. Thompson never got to see his son coach at North Carolina Wesleyan College, his legacy is now a permanent fixture at every Battling Bishop home game... and his memory will live on with hand over heart.