Flags

CHAMBERSBURG, Pa. -- Stitched into the American flag flown over the Franklin County Jail on Wednesday was a story. A plaque for the case that will later display it will tell the story of how it flew over Taji, Iraq, on May 22, 2009. Staff Sgt. Jeffrey Ott of the Pennsylvania National Guard's Stryker Brigade flew the flag in tribute to his colleagues from Franklin County Jail, where he works as a correctional officer. Warden John Wetzel said he was touched to learn Ott thought of his co-workers while serving in a war zone.

NEW YORK (AP) -- Philip Hayes was 67 and had been retired from the Fire Department more than 20 years on the morning when he rushed to the burning World Trade Center. His family says he rescued children from a day care and then headed to the south tower, where he died. His son, Philip Hayes Jr., was among the mourners who read aloud the names of the lost Friday on the eighth anniversary of 9/11 -- a day when the nation, in rituals of grief and simple acts of volunteerism, rekindled the spirit of service embodied by his father.

Cub Scouts and Boy Scouts of the Mason-Dixon Council were recently honored at a Hagerstown Suns game at Municipal Stadium. The flag ceremony was conducted by Pack 54, Hagerstown and Troop 10, Hagerstown. The Scouts and leaders marched in the outfield and were recognized in front of the fans. Cub Scout Aaron Little from Pack 54, Hagerstown, had the honor of throwing out the first pitch. After the game, approximately 150 Scouts camped out on the outfield. They were treated to the movie "Indiana Jones and the Lost Ark. " In the morning, a church service was conducted by local Scouts and leaders.

GREENCASTLE, Pa. -- To 12-year-old Garrett Sutton, the American flag is more than a few stars and stripes waving in the wind. "It reminds me of our troops and I feel something special for the men and women who have died out there," he said. "It (the flag) deserves our respect. " Garrett and 25 members of Boy Scout troops 99 and 88 paid final respects to 400 U.S. flags on Monday by giving each a proper retirement and a final salute. There is only one preferred way to retire a flag, and that is by flame, said Boy Scout Unit Commissioner Bill Yoder.

WILLIAMSPORT -- Grayson McCleaf spotted a faded and tattered American flag hanging at a Williamsport pharmacy many months ago. He had been learning about the proper care and retirement of Old Glory in his Cub Scout pack. So his father, Williamsport Mayor James G. McCleaf II, was not all that surprised when Grayson, 8, said he wanted to talk to the store manager about the dingy flag. One day, when McCleaf went to pick up a prescription, Grayson -- who had been persistent about the flag -- again requested his father's permission to speak with the store manager.

HAGERSTOWN -- The American flag was described in many ways Friday. Children wave it in processions. It brings tears to the eyes of athletes. In war, it reminds soldiers why they fight, and for what. At funerals, it is the last tribute to veterans. While speakers talked about what the flag meant, an AMVETS Post 10 color/honor guard and Boy Scout Troop 2 held the American flag aloft for Friday afternoon's Flag Day ceremony at University Plaza on West Washington Street. "Our flag is saluted by soldiers and revered by citizens," said Fred Shinbur, chairman of the Maryland Veterans Commission.

WILLIAMSPORT - A flag retirement and recognition ceremony hosted by the Improved Order of Red Men Club will be Saturday at 2 p.m. at the club at 16129 Lappans Road. The ceremony to honor the American flag will include various honor guards from the Marine Corps League - Bulldog Detachment, Hagerstown Fire Department, Washington County Sheriff's Department and Boonsboro American Legion, along with bagpiper Steve Shultz. The Williamsport Community Band will play at 1 p.m. Guest speaker will be Mayor James G. McCleaf II. Also attending will be representatives from Maryland State Police, Woodmen of the World, Red Men Riders Club and Boy Scout Troop 58. There will be a red, white and blue airplane flyover, and a large display of American flags.

More than 300 American flags that will line Rest Haven's "Avenue of Flags," according to Rest Haven's Web site. Each has been donated by the family of a veteran buried in the cemetery. The cemetery offered a commemoration with a bagpipe rendition of "Amazing Grace. " Local trumpeters played echo taps. The Appalachian Wind Quintet was scheduled to perform a concert of classic patriotic music.

o Read more Harry Nogle columns at washingtoncountyliving.com Pansy celebrates 90th Amelia "Pansy" Davis of Sharpsburg took a break from playing bingo long enough to celebrate her 90th birthday Feb. 15 at a dinner party given by her family at the Western Sizzlin' Steakhouse in Halfway. Pansy was born Feb. 13, 1919, in Hagerstown. Her husband, Warren Davis of Sharpsburg, died in April 2000. Congregations to plan grassroots organization Concerned neighbors from multiple congregations will meet Thursday, April 16, at 7 p.m. at Holy Trinity Lutheran Church in Sharpsburg to discuss the formation of a grassroots level organization dedicated to serving those in need in Southern Washington County.

BLUE RIDGE SUMMIT, Pa. - The Blue Ridge Summit Library received a new flag Jan. 31. The flag was presented to branch manager Nancy Bert by First Class Scout Aaron Scalese as a project for his reading merit badge. Aaron, 11, who is in the sixth grade at Thurmont (Md.) Middle School, is the son of Bob and Regina Scalese of Cascade and is a member of Boy Scout Troop 280 of Frederick, Md. Aaron was able to use the knowledge he obtained from working on his Citizenship in the Nation Merit Badge to obtain the flag from U.S. Rep. Roscoe G. Bartlett, R-6th District.