Belle Vernon Boy Scouts burn flags in retirement ceremony

Members of the Fairhope Rod & Gun Club helped scouts from Troop 1543 burn about 100 American flags.

Nine young Boy Scouts came together to burn around 100 American flags Wednesday, in a special flag retirement ceremony hosted by Belle Vernon Boy Scout Troop 1543 and the Fairhope Rod & Gun Club.

Flag-burning ceremonies are an annual event for the Boy Scout troop, according to Scoutmaster Jason Fronzaglio. Fronzaglio said the ceremonies are a good way for the Boy Scouts to learn respect for veterans and the American flag.

“I’ve been doing it for probably a good 10 years now, but it was one thing that I knew that teaches respect, and it’s peaceful every time we do it,” Fronzaglio said. “Some of these boys I’ve been with since kindergarten. So a lot of these boys have been doing this multiple times.”

The Fairhope Rod & Gun Club helps the troop with shooting lessons, and Fronzaglio knew the club was made up of several veterans, so they thought hosting a flag retirement ceremony was a good way to give back to them.

The Boy Scouts started the retirement ceremony with the Color Guard bringing out the American and Pennsylvania flags, along with their own troop flag. Then some of the troop members spoke about the importance of Old Glory.

“The American flag represents the freedom, unity and sacrifice of this nation,” Boy Scout Max Cochenour said. “When a flag reaches the end of its service, it is our duty to respectfully retire it in a dignified and respectful way.”

According to the United States Flag Code, flags must be retired in a dignified way, and the preferred disposal method is burning.

After doing the Pledge of Allegiance and highlighting the symbolism of the flag, the Boy Scouts started lining up to burn dozens of American flags. As more flags of all shapes and sizes were thrown into the fire, the brighter it became.

During the event, three Boy Scouts earned their communication merit badges, which included Cochenour, Jase Hendershot, and Lucas Milcoff. According to Milcoff and Hendershot, the communications merit badge involves practicing different methods of communication, like speaking, emailing and even writing.

Fronzaglio also announced that his son, Cass Fronzaglio, and Cochenour will soon begin the process to become Eagle Scouts after the flag retirement ceremony. Both Cass Fronzaglio and Cochenour emphasized the importance of learning to properly retire flags.

“It shows respect to the flag and to your country, and there are people who serve for that flag,” Cass Fronzaglio said. “We help take them (flags) out of the cemetery. So you get to see where they end up and be a part of retiring them the right way.”

Cochenour added that it was special to know how to properly retire flags due to his own grandfather being a veteran.

Fairhope Rod & Gun Club Vice President Josh Hurst and Secretary Tom Popovich said that they would be happy to host Boy Scout Troop 1543 for another flag retirement ceremony. They said their club is always happy to help their community.

“We have a lot of veterans who are members of this club, and we have to honor them,” Hurst said.