On Saturday, Nov. 9, more than 10 Boy Scout troops participated in flag retirement ceremonies held every hour from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at VFW Post 9415 in Phelan. The Serrano High School Diamondback Singers performed patriotic songs during the first ceremony, creating a moving atmosphere. Onlookers included veterans and Scout families, all sharing in the touching event.
At the start of each ceremony, a Scout leader recited the flag retirement proceedings while a single flag was used to represent all those being retired. The flag was unfolded, and Scouts separated each stripe from the field of blue and stars. This symbolizes the flag ceasing to be a flag once cut into pieces. The red and white stripes were then placed on the field of blue, which was folded over the stripes. Finally, the flag was placed into the fire pit and retired with respect and dignity as the Scouts gave a final salute.
This Veterans Day flag retirement ceremony marked the 10th overall and the third since VFW Post 9415 sponsored a new charter with Boy Scout Troop 351. U.S. Navy veteran and VFW member Dale Mower said, “I really appreciate what the Scouts are doing. It means a lot to me that they do this every year. I’ve never seen it this big before.”
Kendra Luther, a six-year committee chair of Pack 157, explained the benefits of Scouting: “It is really good for teaching kids about citizenship and duty to their country, as well as learning about the flag, what it stands for, and how to properly fold one.”
The partnership between VFW Post 9415 and Boy Scout Troop 351 is mutually beneficial. Liaison Bob Carreon shared that the Scouts assist with Friday night dinners by waiting tables and cleaning up after the meal. In return, aside from providing a meeting space for the troop, the VFW helps fund camping trips and donates food for events. Scouts who receive tips while serving are allowed to keep them.
The event also served as a recruiting opportunity for the Boy Scouts. “With almost 400 Scouts throughout the High Desert District, we are the third smallest district and are hoping to double our number by the end of 2025,” said Lee Bayless, program assistant and district executive for the High Desert. When asked what it means to have kids in the Scout program, Scout mom KC Weston, a veteran and former Scout, said, “Being a Scout exposes kids to things they wouldn’t necessarily learn otherwise. It teaches them the importance of helping each other and coming together.”
San Bernardino County Fire and Paramedic Station 10 also participated in the event, with vehicles on-site. Paramedic Jon Rodriguez shared that residents sometimes drop off flags needing proper retirement at the station, which are then brought to the VFW. EMT Darby Friel joined the Scouts to place flags in the fire for retirement, an honor he and Rodriguez experienced for the first time. “It was nice, a very respectful way to retire a flag,” Friel said.
This was also a first-time experience for Bonnie Butler, who attended with the Community Emergency Response Team (CERT). “We were asked by a troop to be here and promote fire and earthquake safety as well as emergency preparedness,” Butler said. “Seeing the ceremony made me feel very patriotic.”
By the end of the day, the Scouts had retired 1,769 flags, leaving them just 231 flags shy of their 2,000-flag goal.
For more information on VFW Post 9415 and upcoming events, follow them on Facebook at Tri-Community VFW Post 9415 or Instagram at @Tri-CommunityVFWPost9415, or call (760) 868-1999. For more information on Boy Scout Troop 351, visit Scoutlander. To find Scouting units near you, visit Be A Scout.
