FLAMES BURN RED, WHITE & BLUE
Scouts, guests pay tribute to symbol of freedom

Boy Scouts from Whitehouse Troop 359 dispose of a flag and honor it with a final salute. Below, U.S. Rep. Louie Gohmert discusses protocol for who should salute the flag.

Scouts from Whitehouse Troop 359 fulfilled one of their more sacred responsibilities by conducting a flag disposal ceremony Saturday. Hosted by Troup's American Legion Post 418 on Armed Forces Day, the event included brief remarks by U.S. Rep. Louie Gohmert, but the primary focus was on the ceremony itself.

Troop Master Charles Parker introduced Scouts Kevin Kapka and Peyton Lilly to lead the ceremony. The mood was quiet and respectful as two teams of honor guards were directed through a series of steps including unfurling an unserviceable flag, honoring it (touching it to the face), placing it in the burning receptacle and giving it a final salute.

Kevin Kapka and Peyton Lilly also read passages about the flag and its symbolism, as well as proper protocol for its disposal. The ceremony called for unser viceable flags to be burned completely until unrecognizable.

"From dust we came and to dust we return," said Rep. Gohmert. "That's true of everything, including our flag."

"Those who have been in combat know of the efforts taken to keep our flag from going into the dirt," said Gohmert. "Just as every American deserves a respectful disposition, so do our flags."

Gohmert said the flag represents freedom, human rights and the right to excel.

"It represents the only nation where you have the opportunity to be whatever you want to be," said Gohmert.

Obar, a veteran of the Navy, praised the scouts who performed the ceremony and honored their commitment to God, country and service.

"Not everybody can be a star football player or a prima ballerina, but everybody can be a good citizen," he said.

Prior to the ceremony, Post Commander Jim Chustz welcomed guests and introduced speaker Gohmert.

He surprised the Army veteran by pointing out that Rep. Gohmert did not belong to the American Legion and then welcoming him as the newest member of Post 418.

Following the disposal ceremony, Rep. Gohmert presented Post 418 with a flag that had flown over the U.S. Capitol.

Scout Master Charles Parker introduces Kevin Kapka and Peyton Lilly to lead the flag disposal ceremony. At right are members of Whitehouse Troop 359. In the top right photo, Legion members and guests witness the dignified disposal of unserviceable flags.

Scout members of Troop 359 who participated in the ceremony were Dillon Davis, Cameron Hinijosa, Jacob Parker, James Linderman, Mathew Wood, Michael Kodet, Mitchell Licht, Peyton Lilly, Troy Hayden, Andrew Drott, Kevin Kapka, Kyle Drott, Spencer Wright, Perry Hill, Dusty Johnson and Brannon Beaton.

Andrew Drott played "Taps" at the end of the ceremony.