May 21, 2007

CONTACT:  Mary Riherd Broomfield, Marketing and Public Relations Director
                (626) 445-7771, ext. 313, mbroomfield@gsmwvc.org


Retiring America’s Colors


Arcadia, CA— Cadette Girl Scout Troop #451 (8th grade) was honored with the responsibility of retiring the worn Barnhart Middle School flag on Friday, May 18, 2007. Joe Harper, Upper School Director, requested that the troop conduct this ceremony on campus so that students may witness the proper retirement of the American Flag.

The afternoon ceremony was conducted according to US Flag Code and culminated with the burning of the worn flag, as it was retired with all the dignity and respect befitting our nation’s flag and the countless men and women who have died defending our freedom. The troop raised the school’s new flag that was flown over the U.S. Capitol. The 8th grade class was on hand to receive the flag while on a class trip to the nation’s capitol in October.

Girl Scouts and Boy Scouts from the private school in Arcadia helped lead a chorus of America the Beautiful, and at the conclusion of the ceremony, each grade level was dismissed, single file to pass the campfire ring to pay their respects on their way back to class. The flag’s ashes were then respectfully buried in the middle school’s garden and planted over with tulip and gladiola bulbs and petunias.

Cadette Girl Scout Troop 451 is part of Mt. Wilson Vista Council, which serves nearly 9,000 girls and young women, ages five to 17, in 23 San Gabriel Valley communities. The Council is chartered by Girl Scouts of the USA, the world's preeminent organization for girls. Today, as when founded in 1912, Girl Scouts builds girls of courage, confidence and character, who make the world a better place. For more information on how to register your daughter, volunteer your time or donate to the Girl Scouts, call (626) 445-7771 or visit www.gsmwvc.org.