Giving Back Through the Stars and Stripes

Joe R. – Eagle Scout Project: A Flag Retirement Ceremony

For his Eagle Scout Project, Joe R. of Boy Scout Troop 609 chose to organize and lead a flag retirement ceremony in partnership with the local Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW). The idea came after the VFW mentioned they had a lot of old flags that have been dropped off by community residents — and Joe saw it as a perfect way to give back to the community that had supported him for years. His dad, Chris, works at the VFW, so the project also held a personal connection.

Originally, Joe had considered building benches, but once he heard about the old flags, he knew this Flag Retirement Ceremony was the right choice for his project. After completing all the required paperwork and getting the necessary signatures and approvals — a process that took about two to three weeks — his project was officially underway.

Joe says the project was not only about honoring the American flag, but also about honoring the people who helped him along his Scouting journey.

Inspiration and Meaning

A quote that means a lot to Joe, originally said by philosopher, is:

“The longer you wait to redeem yourself, the harder it becomes.”

Joe says he can personally relate to that. As a freshman, he thought he had all the time in the world to complete his Eagle project. But as a senior, he realized how quickly time had flown by. He admits he put it off longer than he should have — but finishing it reminded him how much he’s accomplished since first joining Cub Scouts nearly ten years ago.

“Scouting takes a lot of dedication — from earning merit badges to going on campouts — but it all pays off when you finally are getting close to the rank of Eagle,” Joe said.

Shout-Outs and Support

Joe wanted to give special thanks to a few people who made this journey possible:

1. His Dad – Chris R.
“My Dad is the biggest reason I got this far,” Joe said. “There were times I thought about giving up, but he always encouraged me to finish.” Chris got Joe into Scouts from the very beginning. Joe said his dad went on every campout — including a week-long canoeing trip to the Boundary Waters in Minnesota. “I couldn’t ask for a better supporter,” Joe added.

2. Scoutmaster Dave M.
Dave became Scoutmaster about two years ago after serving as Assistant Scoutmaster. Joe said, “He’s always been checking in, making sure I was on track for Eagle. Even behind the scenes, he was there — helping with approvals and making sure everything went smoothly. He’s been a huge help.”

3. His Mom – Bonnie R.
Joe’s mom, Bonnie, has also been a big influence. While not as involved in Scouts as his dad, she’s been a strong motivator. “She always encourages me to do my best and wants me to succeed in life,” Joe said. “Both my parents are hardworking, and they’ve inspired me to keep pushing forward.”

Advice to Other Scouts

Joe has helped on several other troop member's Eagle projects — painting a kindergarten room, remodeling a rec center, redoing benches and planters, and cutting overgrown grass. Based on those experiences and his own, he has some advice for others working toward Eagle:

Start thinking early. “Once you hit Life rank, start planning your Eagle project. It might take time to get approved.”

Don’t give up. “Even if it feels overwhelming, keep going. It’s all worth it in the end.”

Reflection

As part of the Eagle Scout process, Joe also wrote an essay reflecting on how Scouting has impacted his life and will shape his future. He says Scouting has taught him leadership, responsibility, and perseverance — lessons he’ll carry with him long after high school.

“This project wasn’t just about working towards earning Eagle,” Joe said. “It was about showing gratitude, learning to lead, and giving back to those who’ve supported me along the way.”

If all goes as planned, Joe will obtain the biggest achievement in his life - Eagle Scout in early 2026.