GAZETTE LETTER ON TROOP 28'S REPLACEMENT OF THE AMERICAN FLAG AT HOLY NAME OF MARY

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The following letter appeared in a recent edition of The Gazette:

To the editor:

On Saturday, October 17th, Croton-on-Hudson’s Scouts BSA Troop 28 replaced the American flag flying proudly in front of Holy Name of Mary. Father Nelson Couto graciously provided the opening prayer and Troop 28, chartered by Holy Name, provided a heartfelt ceremony to retire the tattered, old flag and post the new, brilliant flag. Later that evening, the Scouts retired the old flag properly in a flag retirement ceremony as part of their weekend campout.

Those that were in attendance Saturday afternoon listened to a presentation about the true meaning of our American flag. Our flag represents our founding fathers and their sacrifices to build a new nation, as well as, those that have died over the years defending our freedom, and our pledge of devotion and loyalty to our great country. It represents our nation’s unity, its hopes, achievements, glory and high resolve – red for courage, white for purity and blue for vigilance, perseverance and justice. It represents sovereign power resigning with a body elected by, representative of, and responsible to this nation’s citizens. It represents that we are united as one under God, to who we turn for guidance, whose blessings we ask for and who watches over us as individual citizens and collectively as a nation, for in His spirit, America was founded. It represents the great diversity of our country, from different racial backgrounds, with different traditions and different ways of worship. It is because we are so varied, diverse and rich in heritage that the whole of our nation is far greater than the sum of its parts. And finally, it represents that we all have the right of freedom and the responsibility to protect the freedom of others. Our flag is a symbol of the people. All the people. The people of the United States of America.

Croton-on-Hudson’s Troop 28, its adult leaders and Scout youth leaders have done a tremendous job keeping the Troop moving forward during COVID. Early in the spring, they began conducting virtual meetings and providing opportunities for the Scouts to continue with rank advancement and merit badges. They have had backyard campouts and hosted small group, outdoor activities following all COVID protocols. For more information about Troop 28, please contact Scoutmaster Paul Kooney at scoutmaster@troop28croton.org.