Cheney Scouts help retire flags

Cheney Boy Scout Troop 356 helped give 150 American flags a dignified farewell during a Flag Day ceremony at the Veterans of Foreign Wars Memorial in City Park.

“We have 24 boys in the Cheney troop,” Scoutmaster Clint Hess said. “Last year there were 80 flags to retire. This year we had 150.”

Eventually flags become soiled or torn. Title 36, Section 176, of the U.S. Code states, “The flag when it is in such condition … should be destroyed in a dignified manner, preferably by burning.”

“There are a limited number of organizations authorized to retire a flag,” Assistant Scoutmaster Rick Campbell said. “This is our eighth year of retiring flags.”

The June 14 ceremony began as Campbell offered a prayer, then called the duty guard to attention.

Six Scouts marched forward carrying a large unfurled flag. They positioned it before the fire bowl where a small fire blazed. Campbell led in the flag salute.

Each fold in the American flag has a symbolic meaning. Campbell explained each one, beginning with the first, the symbol of life. Succeeding folds represent belief in eternal life and tenets of Christian and Jewish faiths. There are folds honoring veterans, living and dead and all armed forces, and folds paying tribute to mothers’ and fathers’ sacrifices.

One fold acknowledges allegiance to our country and the republic for which it stands. The 12th fold represents an emblem of eternity and gives glory to God.

When the folding of the flag is completed, 13 stars are visible, reminding us of the original 13 colonies.

The flag then has the appearance of a cocked hat, reminiscent of the soldiers who served under Gen. George Washington and the sailors and Marines who served under Capt. John Paul Jones.

Richard Campbell and Zack Neubauer, both working toward Eagle Scout rank, received each folded flag for placing on the fire.

Campbell spoke of displaying the flag with honor and of its symbolic colors and design.

“Each Scout receives a grommet from the retired flags. The ashes are buried in a scenic location,” he said.

Near the end of the ceremony the retirement honor guard marched toward the fire bowl and placed the large unfurled flag on the fire. As a tape of the national anthem played, the Scouts saluted, and a flag was raised on the pole at the memorial.

Campbell then dismissed the honor guard as the ashes of 150 flags glowed in the fire bowl.