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VIDEO: Kid's Salute Turns Cymbal Crash Into Symbolic Victory

Andrew Pawelczyk, far left, saluting the flag after his cymbal crashed to the floor.
NPR
Andrew Pawelczyk, far left, saluting the flag after his cymbal crashed to the floor.

There may be no better way to start the day than with this video that's going viral.

At Eisenhower Junior High School in Darien, Ill., last month, the school band was playing the national anthem. Thirteen-year-old percussionist Andrew Pawelczyk was clashing his cymbals at all the appropriate moments.

Then, one of his straps broke. Andrew's right cymbal fell to the floor.

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For a moment, Andrew tells CNN, he thought about running to get a replacement cymbal. But then he came up with a great idea.

He stood and saluted the flag.

Watch and see how it all played out. The crash comes at about the 1:05 mark.

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