Boy Scout Bryant Pyle, 14, sits with one of the retired American flags he is collecting Wednesday. In a ceremony using the fire pit his brother made, Pyle will retire the flags as part of his Eagle Scout project. (Photo by Mark Levy)
Posted on 07/04/2012 3:17:41 PM PDT by SandRat
One 14-year-old is using Independence Day to become both an Eagle Scout and to show respect toward the stars and stripes.
Bryant Pyle will be collecting worn and tattered American flags to retire properly on Labor Day. The process will advance Pyle, who has been a Boy Scout for six years, from Life Scout to Eagle Scout.
"My grandpa served in two foreign wars, Vietnam and Korea, he has a lot of respect for the flag," he said. "He would get mad seeing tattered flags being flown."
Pyle learned appreciation for the flag through his grandfather, and Eagle scouting from his two older brothers. The oldest, Raymond, 20, helped build a pathway in the mountains for the disabled to enjoy. Derek, 19, built a community fireplace at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.
Scout Leader Dustin Carter said the aim of Eagle Scout projects is to better the community.
"He’s providing a knowledge to people," he said. "He’s helping them see the importance of our flag and providing a service for them as far as honoring his country and his community."
Carter said becoming an Eagle Scout is beneficial for the rest of your life.
"Many employers, if they see Eagle Scout on an application, with similar applicants, with the same accomplishments and criteria, they’re going to say ‘That person knows how to follow through and finish something,’" he said. "It gives somebody a one-up because you see someone’s character by knowing they did that."
The fireplace Derek built is one location where Pyle will collect flags, and it is where he will ultimately retire them.
"The flag means freedom and we should have a lot of respect for it."
Where to drop off withered flags:
Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints 2100 E. Yaqui St. 8 to 10 a.m.
Veterans’ Memorial Park - concession stands 4 to 7 p.m.
“And a Child shall lead them’’. I’m convinced some kids have more patriotism at a younger age than most adults would ever feel in a lifetime.
As a proud mother of an Eagle Scout, I can tell you the benefits and rewards of this achievement will take a young man very far in life. Congratulations to this young man and American patriot.
God bless you Mom. My kid brother was an Eagle Scout 35 years ago. Now he’s a bloody liberal. Oh well, what can you do?
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