So last night we went to Steven's monthly Pack Meeting. His den did the skit this month, the theme was "pockets".
Each boy held up a letter and read how it applies to scouting.
Since there are only 4 boys in his den, they each had to read multiple letters.
After the skit and a small awards ceremony we did an official Flag Retirement Ceremony. We started by Pledging Allegiance to the old flag and removing it from our flagpole and folding it for the last time. The other flags to be burned were already folded and waiting on a nearby table.
A very moving poem was read saying goodbye to the flag and commending it for everything it stands for. The pack leader reading the poem got teary-eyed, along with many of the spectators.
The newly folded flag was then presented to the "Tender" who was an official representative from the VFW. He saluted the flag before accepting it. The Tender then unfolded it and placed it in the fire.
The Tender saluted each boy as they brought up a flag. Here Steven is surrendering his flag to be retired.
Another view of the hand-off with Steven and the Tender. After placing the flag on the fire both the Tender and the boy would stand back and salute as the flag burned. Steven was very respectful during the whole process. I am very proud of him!
Hannah looks on as the flags burn. The metal grommets in the flag don't burn. They must also be destroyed properly as set forth by the U.S. Flag code. They can either be buried at sea, or given to active duty soldiers of the US military for good luck. Ours are going to Afghanistan with one of the boys father who is deploying there next week. He will hand them out to other soldiers to keep in their pockets and hopefully give them some protection while they fight to protect us and our freedom.
Finally a new flag is unfurled and hung on the pole. We said the Pledge of Allegiance to the new flag after it was up.
Each boy held up a letter and read how it applies to scouting.
Since there are only 4 boys in his den, they each had to read multiple letters.
After the skit and a small awards ceremony we did an official Flag Retirement Ceremony. We started by Pledging Allegiance to the old flag and removing it from our flagpole and folding it for the last time. The other flags to be burned were already folded and waiting on a nearby table.
A very moving poem was read saying goodbye to the flag and commending it for everything it stands for. The pack leader reading the poem got teary-eyed, along with many of the spectators.
The newly folded flag was then presented to the "Tender" who was an official representative from the VFW. He saluted the flag before accepting it. The Tender then unfolded it and placed it in the fire.
The Tender saluted each boy as they brought up a flag. Here Steven is surrendering his flag to be retired.
Another view of the hand-off with Steven and the Tender. After placing the flag on the fire both the Tender and the boy would stand back and salute as the flag burned. Steven was very respectful during the whole process. I am very proud of him!
Hannah looks on as the flags burn. The metal grommets in the flag don't burn. They must also be destroyed properly as set forth by the U.S. Flag code. They can either be buried at sea, or given to active duty soldiers of the US military for good luck. Ours are going to Afghanistan with one of the boys father who is deploying there next week. He will hand them out to other soldiers to keep in their pockets and hopefully give them some protection while they fight to protect us and our freedom.
Finally a new flag is unfurled and hung on the pole. We said the Pledge of Allegiance to the new flag after it was up.
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