Archbishop's web site Denver Catholic Register Parishes Catholic Pastoral Center
December 5, 2001
Cub Scouts send a bit of home to soldiers
Scouts' pocket flags to go with reservists off to war
By Jennifer Radcliffe
Many metro-area reservists who are called up to serve in the war in Afghanistan will take a little bit of home with them thanks to the efforts of a local Cub Scout Pack.
Webelos Den 7 Cub Scout Pack 402 proudly presented some 100 folded American flags to local Naval reserve representatives in a moving ceremony at Sts. Peter and Paul Catholic Church in Wheat Ridge Nov. 20.
The flags, all carefully and respectfully folded, were presented to Senior Chief Petty Officer Helen Nuss, Petty Officer 1st Class Mary VanMinnen and Lt. Monty Careswell.
The idea to present the flags to local reservists is the brainchild of Boy Scout Pack Leader LuWanda Ford. An annual leader training day served as the inspiration and impetus to put the flag folding into action. Fellow Boy Scout leaders who are veterans of the Vietnam and Gulf wars spoke at the annual adult leaders training day, relaying what it meant to them to carry a small folded American flag in their pockets during their tours of duty in Vietnam and the Persian Gulf.
Their memories and sentiment led to Ford's desire to want to contribute to the support of American troops as they embark on the current fight in Afghanistan. As part of the effort, six boys from Webelos Den 7 including Charley Ford, Josh Marquez, Leighton Lautenschlager, Michael Baczewski, Drew Birch and Taylor Spencer enthusiastically played a major part in the Pocket Flag Project.
Each boy meticulously folded the 8-by-12-inch pieces of flag and tucked them neatly into individual packets. Inside each packet the boys included a card that reads: "A flag for your pocket so you can always carry a little piece of home. We are praying for you and we are proud of you. Thank you for defending our country and our freedom."
While folding the flags, the boys told the Register how meaningful the project is to them.
"I'm proud to be doing it and we can do this for all of the people who are in the war," said Charley Ford, a fourth-grader at Sts. Peter and Paul Catholic School. "These (flags) will go to people in the Navy, Air Force, Army and others who are participating in the war.
"This has meaning because the soldiers can realize they are carrying a part of home with them and that they are in our prayers," he added.
Fellow classmate Josh Marquez agreed. "I think it's neat that we're making a difference," he said.
The ceremony began with the presentation of the Colors, followed by brief introductions of the Naval reservists, who talked about their years of military service and experience. Several Scouts then presented the flags to the thankful military personnel.
"It means a lot to me," VanMinnen told the Register. "Especially after the president asked everyone to come together in support of our military.
"I hope this develops a new spirit in the scouts and in the community," she added.
People like to feel that they are contributing, said Nuss.
"People want to do what they can," she said.
Ford emphasized the unique level of respect and dignity the United States affords its flag.
"We are the only country that treats the flag as though it were human," she said, adding, "September 11 inspired a patriotism that we have not seen in a long time."
Ford explained that after the flag becomes worn and weathered, it should be ceremoniously and respectfully burned rather than buried or thrown out. The ceremonial burning is an act of respect that is not found anywhere else, Ford said.
Ford has gone to great lengths to spread the news about the Scouts Pocket Flag Project. To that end, she has developed a special web site that details the creation of the project and what others can do to get involved.
Those interested in participating in the Pocket Flag Project can send questions to pocketflagproject@ya hoo.com. For additional information visit www.geocities.com/pocketflagproject. For information about the American flag, log on to www.usflag.com.
Like any grassroots effort, the Pocket Flag Project is in need of money to get flags to as many military personnel as possible. To contribute to this special project, send contributions to Pocket Flag Project c/o SPPS, 3920 Pierce Street, Wheat Ridge, CO 80033.
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