COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) — Veterans groups have bought 1,200 American flags for a major Ohio school district that now requires the Pledge of Allegiance but didn’t have enough flags to pledge to.

Columbus teachers had improvised with flags printed on pieces of paper or projected onto classroom walls when the new policy was implemented at the start of the school year. Schools are directed to begin each day with the Pledge of Allegiance, though students may choose not to participate.

The Columbus Dispatch reports today that the Veterans of Foreign Wars donated 700 flags and the American Legion purchased 500. Together, the two groups spent nearly $10,000.

VFW state Commander Gerald Ward says the effort is part of the mission of the veterans organizations to promote patriotism.