Aspiring Eagle Scout promotes patriotism, responsibility through flag disposal project
CORBIN, Ky. — There’s an Eagle Scout in the making — and with the help of officials in southeastern Kentucky, a project conceived with good intentions is expected to put him one step closer to the highest achievement in scouting.
Troop No. 488 Boy Scout Parker Frederick was headed to a local Boy Scouts of America event with his father and troop Scoutmaster, Bryan, when the two happened to discuss the issues related to proper American flag retirement protocol in their area.
From this conversation, Parker Frederick developed what is now his official Eagle Scout project proposal — to repurpose old United Parcel Service drop boxes by repainting them and using them to collect damaged American flags for proper disposal.
This week, Frederick came before magistrates during the regular meeting of the local fiscal court to explain his patriotic Eagle Scout project and, hopefully, to get approval to launch his idea.
He did.
“There are only three (groups) which can properly retire old or damaged flags,” Frederick said. Those groups are the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW), the military, or the Boy Scouts of America.
Through the proposed project, he wants to give people sturdy, secure collection bins in set locations where they can properly dispose of the flags so Frederick’s troop can collect and retire them as needed.
Frederick believes there are “hundreds” of patriotic citizens in Whitley County waiting for the opportunity for a formal disposal of damaged or tattered American flags.
Four area drop boxes would be prepared — three would be located in Corbin, and one of those in Williamsburg about 30 minutes away. However, both Parker Frederick and his father believe the project has the potential to become a national initiative sponsored by both UPS and the Boy Scouts of America, allowing for proper flag collection and disposal nationwide.
“This is a great project,” Judge/Executive Pat White, Jr. said, and other magistrates agreed. It was also noted that the grommets collected from those damaged or old flags would be sent to military veterans.
“I think it’s an excellent project; something that’s been needed a long time,” Brian Frederick said. He said, following the local acceptance of the proposal, the Boy Scouts of America has also expected the project proposal.
While he’s closer to becoming an Eagle Scout, Parker Frederick still has several presentations and meetings ahead of him before he achieves the honor, but he insists he’s well on his way.
“I feel like I’m pretty prepared,” he said. “I’m pretty confident that the speeches ahead will go pretty well.”
The Corbin, Kentucky Times Tribune contributed details to this story.