| Laying a national symbol to rest |
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| News | |||
| Written by Aaron Cedeño | |||
| Tuesday, 10 November 2009 09:00 | |||
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For those unfamiliar with the process, seeing an American flag retired for the first time can come as something of a shock. The image of a flag aflame has long been one associated with feelings of rebellion and civil unrest, but when done properly, in an official ceremony, it becomes no less than a sign of utmost respect.  That is something that local Cub Scouts have come to understand very well indeed. “Through every step in the scouting process, duty to country and duty to God are foremost in the history of the Boy Scouts,” said Jason Bradley, leader of local Cub Scout Pack 3101. “That flows through every book that you’ll ever go through in Cub Scouts and Boy Scouts, is the responsibility to your community, to your country and to God.” On Sunday, Nov. 1, members of two Louisburg Cub Scout packs, 3101 and 3023, gathered to retire seven American flags; a formal ceremony that concludes with a solemn burning. Though any individual or group may technically hold a private flag retirement ceremony, there are guidelines to be followed in order to make sure it is done properly. A few organizations, the Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts and the American Legion among them, are intimately familiar with those guidelines, and frequently shoulder the responsibility of a respectful retirement themselves. This wasn’t the first time the Scouts had participated in a retirement ceremony, said Bruce Caldwell, leader of Pack 3023. In the past, members of local American Legion Post 250 had taken time to walk the youth through the process, and remind them of the importance of the occasion. “It’s a real big deal,” said Wayne Knop, commander of Post 250. “For all of the veterans it’s an important thing to make sure it’s taken care of right.” Fortunately, the Scouts understand that fact, and know to treat the revered national symbol with the proper respect, Caldwell noted. He and his fellow pack leaders stress to their Scouts, who range from first-grade to fifth-grade in age, that the flags are burned to protect them from potential defilement in the future.  “The reason that we do it this way is so that once that flag is retired, no one can come and mess with that flag afterwards,” Caldwell explained. “This is the only way for sure that these flags are retired, and in a sense we’re burying them. It’s done, there’s no coming out of retirement.” It all adds up to a memorable experience for all involved, adult and child alike. “You can never take away the power of the moment,” Bradley said. “The kids learn through Scouts how to respectfully raise the flag, lower the flag and fold the flag. It’s another step in the process.” Residents with flags that have become unusable may deposit them in the receptacle located outside of American Legion Post 250, 403 S. 9th St., from which they will be collected for retirement.
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