VFW Post 9415 and local Boy Scout Troop 351 are no strangers to teaming up. After the previous charter for the Wrightwood Boy Scout Troop disbanded, VFW Post 9415 sponsored a new charter, allowing the Boy Scouts access to their facility to use as their “den” for meetings.
This Veterans Day, they will join forces once again with a goal of retiring 2,000 flags. If they reach this goal, next year they will attempt a much higher goal of over 40,000 to beat the world record for the number of flags retired at one time. To accomplish this, they will need help from several VFW posts, Boy Scout troops, the American Legion, and the public to donate flags that are no longer fit to serve as symbols of the United States, due to fading, fraying, or damage that cannot be repaired. Flags can be dropped off at the VFW Post 9415 location in Phelan. There is a red, white, and blue drop-off mailbox out front where you can place the flags.
When a flag is retired, there is a ceremony explaining what happens when it is no longer suited to serve as a symbol of our country due to irreparable damage, and that it should be destroyed in a dignified way. There will be a short service including the national anthem and the Pledge of Allegiance. They will then retire all flags that have been received and properly folded by placing them in a secure fire pit to be burned.
There will be two Veterans Day celebrations this year, both held at VFW Post 9415, located in Phelan on Nielson Road.
The Boy Scouts will hold their flag retirement and recruiting event on Saturday, Nov. 9, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. At the top of every hour, they will conduct a flag presentation. The ceremony will begin with an opening performance by the Serrano High School Diamondback Singers and Cal Fire will also be there with a firetruck on site. A $10 donation is suggested for the luncheon, with hot dogs and hamburgers provided. All donations go to Friends of Scouting, which helps fund Scouts who may not otherwise be able to afford the program.
VFW Post 9415 will hold its Veterans Day celebration on Monday, Nov. 11, at 11 a.m. This event is free to attend and will include a short service, a POW/MIA presentation, and a potluck lunch.
In 2019, Boy Scouts of America opened the door for girls to join and was renamed Scouts BSA. Currently, the ratio is about one girl to every four boys. In the wake of the pandemic, the Cub Scouts, specifically, saw a significant decline in members due to not being able to meet in person. With meetings now back in person, they have seen an increase in members but are hoping to double their size by the end of 2025. “Scouting is learning through fun,” says Lee Bayless, program assistant and district executive for the High Desert. The Cub Scouts are made up of kids from kindergarten through fourth grade, while Boy Scouts are fifth grade and up.
The Scouts meet twice a month and have many adventures throughout the year as they learn how to be safe outdoors. Previous adventures have included hiking, canoeing, fishing, and rock climbing. They also have a summer camp. “Watching the Scouts mature from little kids who can’t sit still to becoming mature adults is the best part,” shared Bayless.
When you think of the VFW, you may think it’s a place just for veterans, but you’d be incorrect. They offer something for everyone, from affordable, delicious meals to a fun outdoor environment, including a playground and horseshoe pit for the whole family. Every second and fourth Tuesday of the month is taco night, where you can get $2 king-size tacos with a variety of meats to choose from. Every Friday night, from 5 to 7 p.m., you can get a one-pound, inch-thick steak dinner with all the fixings, including potatoes, vegetables, a roll, salad, and dessert, all for $27. “We are big on family and everyone is welcome,” says Brandy Sharp, VFW principal officer.
For more information on local Boy Scout Troop 351, please visit http://scoutlander.com/. To find a list of all Scouting units near you, please visit https://beascout.scouting.org/. For more information on VFW Post 9415 you can follow them on Facebook at Tri-Community VFW Post 9415 and on Instagram @Tri-CommunityVFWPost9415 and they can be reached at (760)868-1999.
