November: Old Glory

(click on collage for a bigger view)

In keeping with the Cub Scout theme for November: "Cub Scout Salute!", early on in the month two of our dens gathered together to learn all about the 'Stars and Stripes' and how to appropriately conduct a flag raising and lowering ceremony, along with the proper technique for folding and unfolding a flag.  Since most of the older boys had got to take part in a similar activity earlier in the year, this was a good refresher course as well as an opportunity to help teach the younger boys.

Continuing with the theme, our final pack meeting of the year included a flag retirement ceremony. Though getting it all prepared was a little bit overwhelming, it did come together nicely in the end--as things like this always do. I just need to remember to trust Heavenly Father because despite my best efforts, when he has a hand in things, I really don't need to worry. M had been working hard to complete many achievements so that night he was awarded his Wolf Badge, as well as a few other awards. It was fun to see his face when he realized all that he has actually achieved! : )

The flag that we used for the retirement ceremony came from a local elementary school that donated a large flag that had flown over the school.  This was my first experience seeing such a ceremony, let along participating in one, and was deeply honored that our Cub Master asked me to read the script for the ceremony and help direct the boys and their leaders as they participated in cutting the tattered flag, stripe by stripe until all that was left in tact was the field of blue with the 50 white stars.

 

(click on collage for a bigger view)

I was so awed by the reverence with which our usually rambunctious Pack of Cub Scouts approached the flag, held it taut in their little hands for one another, cut it (and not without some difficulty as the flag was so large and well-made thus rendering it difficult to cut...even with good upholstery shears) and made all the necessary preparations for the its final resting place. Though I've always felt grateful for the blessing of living in this beautiful country of freedom and promise, my heart swelled with patriotic pride that night. As I've probably mentioned before, this calling has been a difficult and often overwhelming one for me to be in. I've struggled over the last year and a half to even gain a small grasp of understanding or appreciation for my calling, but the ceremony that night helped me catch a glimpse of what it's all about and I began to feel like all the stress over the last year and a half has definitely been worth it!

 

Thank you again to all of the father's who stepped in to help us out that night--we couldn't have done it without your help!  We hope to turn the success of this night into a tradition and include a flag retirement ceremony in our program once each year.  Anyone in our area that have access to tattered flags that need retiring...please keep our Pack in mind!