We've Got The County Covered
We've Got The County Covered
Kougar Lanier is a member of Boy Scout Troop 1438 in Havre. For his Eagle Scout Project he has created flag drop boxes to be placed in public locations in Hill and Blaine Counties. The boxes are depositories for American flags that are no longer appropriate to display and need to be properly retired. Kougar poses beside a flag drop box in the lobby outside the Sheriff's Office in the Blaine County courthouse
Kougar Lanier, a member of Boy Scout Troop 1438 in Havre, is completing his Eagle Scout project, and part of his project includes Blaine County. Kougar was in Chinook last weekend placing one of four receptacles that will be available to deposit American flags that need replacing. The Blaine County location is in the county courthouse, on the lower level, adjacent to the Sheriff's Office. He said, "It will be the only flag drop box that is accessible 24 hours a day.
Kougar said a couple of things got him thinking about creating flag drop locations for his Eagle project. He explained, "My troop has had several inquiries about the proper way to dispose of an American flag. There really aren't many organizations that routinely have retirement ceremonies for flags and over the years my troop has disposed of flags." He said he also sees a lot of flags that need retiring and he thinks one reason people hang on to a frayed and tattered flag is because they aren't sure how to retire a flag.
Retiring Old Glory
There are several ways that American flags can be retired when they become faded, frayed or torn. Burning is the preferred method of disposal and, according to the "The Boy Scout Handbook," "the ceremony should be conducted with dignity and respect and the flag burned completely to ashes." Once a flag is completely burned, the ashes should be buried.
Whatever the method of disposal, a flag that is cut up using an approved technique is, technically, no longer a flag. The key to properly cutting up a flag is to cut it into quarters so the field of stars is never cut. To cut the field of stars shows disrespect to the flag and suggests a division of the country. There are some companies that will recycle flags and use the old materials to create new flags. Most Scout troops opt to burn the flags in a ceremony that involves the entire troop-burning the flag until only ashes remain, then burying the ashes.
Kougar Lanier's Eagle Project
Kougar Lanier's project involves placing four flag drop boxes in Hill and Blaine County. His project was supported by Elks Lodge #1201 in Havre. He currently has drop box locations in Havre at the Holiday Village Shopping Center, Anthony Cammon's insurance office at 115 4th Avenue and the Hill County Library, all in Havre. There is a box at the Blaine County courthouse in Chinook and Kougar is looking at another possible site west of Havre along Highway 2. To use these sites Kougar had to appear before various boards and commissions to receive approval, that's all part of the Eagle Project to get boys involved in the mechanics of getting things properly approved.
The project uses two types of drop box containers. One type is made of cardboard and is manufactured to receive recycled products indoors. The other is a reuse of old homemade camping equipment boxes retired by the troop. Kougar said, "I've used two each of the drop box styles, it really depends on the space available and what works best."
On Memorial Day, May 29, Kougar's troop will hold a flag retirement ceremony at The Bridge (adjacent to Rod's Drive-in near Havre High). Kougar said, "During the first month I put out the flag drop boxes there have been eight flags received for retirement." It appears the service is one that already resonates with locals.
Bill Lanier, Kougar's father, is Hi-Line District Committee Chairman. The district is one of 15 that make up the Montana Boy Scout Council. Bill said, "For several years we have averaged two boys completing the Eagle Scout requirements each year. This year we have nine completing." He explained that the district committee has put a new emphasis on helping boys complete the Eagle rank-with programs like the Merit Badge College offered in Havre last January where boys could complete portions of or all requirements for certain merit badges in a weekend program. Kougar is in the final stages of his project and plans on holding his Eagle Scout recognition program this fall.
The "Journal" congratulates Kougar for providing a needed service to his community and for the adult volunteers who make the scouting program work. Scoutmaster for Troop 1438 is Jennifer Thomspon. You can follow the results of the flag project and learn details of the ceremony set for Memorial Day on Facebook at 'Hi-Line American Flag Drop Box-Eagle Project.' Kougar is the son of Bill Lanier and Stacy Steinmetz of Havre.
