Recently I was sitting in on a couple of our Eagle Boards of Review and when the Eagle candidates were asked about their favorite merit badges, they replied the Citizenship in the Community and Nation. As an organization, Scouting has been one of the most influential groups in promoting good citizenship and the roles of each individual in the process of patriotism. The Memorial weekend has just finished and I was very glad to see that area Scouts were involved with placing flags on the gravesites of area veterans and proudly caring our nation’s flag in parades all across the country. Scouts and Scouters have always shown a special fondness for America’s icons, like the flag and her historical sites and I believe this is what Lord Baden-Powell meant when he said a Scout is reverent.

Even 100 years ago, the first Scout Handbook noted that the flag is an emblem of “home, country and our native land. It is an emblem of liberty, of hope, of peace and good-will towards all men”.

On June 14th, we as a Nation will celebrate the 233rd birthday of the Star Spangled Banner. I hope that you as a Scouting family will proudly display your flag and that you will ask your neighbors to do likewise. Then on Independence Day, you will repeat this show of pride and patriotism. Our veterans understand all to well the homage we should pay to our flag and anthem and I hope that you will join me in never forgetting the sacrifices of those who gave up their freedom, fortunes and even their lives to make sure that this Nation would continue to be the shining light for liberty and freedom in the world. Scouts remember these flag waving holidays, stand tall and salute proudly the flag of the best country in the world!

Yours in Scouting,

Don Pettke, Chairman
Chisholm Trail District