Rumson BSA Troop 201 "Fires Up" Spirit During Annual Flag Burning Ceremony

From the field to the canton to the union, Rumson Boy Scouts of America  (BSA) Troop 201 honored and burned older flags during their annual Flag Burning ceremony on June 8 in Victory Park.

 More than fifty parents and scouts gathered along the shoreline of Victory Park to watch the special presentation, which included recitations from the U.S. Code on flag burning, scout pledges and chants and the presentation of the first burnt flag’s grommets. 

 Troop 201 hosts this ceremony every year for the past nine years, said BSA Council member Ray Sackett. “Only two groups are able to dispose of the flag, in this case burn the flag: the boy scouts and the VFW,” Sackett said.

 In accordance with U.S. Code title 36, chapter 176, there is a prescribed method behind dismantling a flag, Sackett said. “First the grommets are removed, then the field, the canton and then the union and each with the exception of the grommets is placed inside the fire, one at a time,” he explained. Grommets are the metal rings inserted in the holes used to hang a flag.

 A special presentation of the first grommets was given to Bob Peterson for his works with the troops including teaching the boys physics while camping. “One year he challenged the boys to a tug of war, all of them verse him and he won! He made what you learned in your high school physics classes come to life,” said one presenter.  

 Following the flag burning ceremony was a special Court of Honor, where the scouts received merit badges and advanced into the next level of scouting. “It’s fun to receive badges. It gives you a sense of accomplishment and it’s always worth the hard work,” said Ryan Wade, who received his 19th merit badge on Wednesday night.

 “There is definitely a larger crowd than last year. It’s great to see all the new scouts that come out to join boy scouts,” said Graham Wade, who has attended six flag ceremonies as a Boy Scout.

 Boy Scouts move through the ranks from first class to second class followed by Tenderfoot, Star Rank, Life Rank then the summit at Eagle.

 Jack Croddick, who advanced first class at the ceremony, said moving through the advancements is not only challenging but also fun. “All Boy Scouts want to be Eagle Scouts so moving up to the next rank is a step closer. It’s fun. I can’t wait to be an Eagle Scout,” he said. 

 At this ceremony, an Eagle Scout advancement was not awarded, but many young men were one step closer.