Scouts carefully write message to soldiers to mail with flags. The most rewarding part of Cub Scouting is community service. Cub Scout Pack 55 completed a very fulfilling service project for men and women in the military serving in Fallujah, Iraq. The cubs folded 7 by 12-inch flags into 2 by 2-inch triangles. These small flags fit in the pocket of a service person on the front lines. There is a card with the flag reading, “A flag for your pocket so you can always carry a little bit of home. We are praying for you and are proud of you. Thank you for defending our country and freedom.” On the card and the cubs signed their names and wrote a message of support such as, “Come home safe.” The scouts carefully placed the flags and mailed them to United States Marine Cpl. Robert Wren in Fallujah, Iraq. Cpl. Wren distributed the flags to men and women in his unit. Cpl. Wren is a friend of Cpl. Patrick Holden of Garden City, who was serving in Fallujah.

Tiger Danny LaRose displays pocket flags and care package items for soldiers in Fallujah, Iraq. Cub Scout Den leader LuWanda Ford started the Pocket Flag Project in Denver. Ford got the idea at a scout leaders meeting from two scout leaders who had pocket flags while they served in Vietnam and Persian Gulf War, respectively. Ford found a supplier to make the flags and her den was the first to send flags to units overseas. Since then the project became a national effort, with many more volunteers across the country folding flags and sending them to service people in war zones around the world. The cubs follow flag etiquette, folding each flag in tiny triangles. The flags are to be given only to soldiers serving on the front lines, to give encouragement and support from home.

Webelos Scouts Bobby Adams and Richard Pietrzak and Boy Scout Zach LaRose fold flags for soldiers. Pack 55 Cubs also sent hundreds of care package items with the flags. They collected note paper, pens, toiletries and candy. There were even boxes of Girl Scout cookies for sweet tooth! In total, the pack mailed three large boxes to Iraq.

Scouts Matthew Trabold and Drew Belger write notes of support to send with pocket flags to Iraq. For additional information about Pocket Flag Project visit www.PocketFlag.com . For information about the American flag, log on to www.usflag.com .

Webelos Scouts Matt Giordano and Bobby Adams show their support to those serving in Iraq.