- April 23, 2024
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Wolf scout Bailey Washington solemnly places the U.S. stars of the flag into the fire. Photo by Jarleene Almenas
The Embry-Riddle ROTC Colorguard present the colors at the Ormond Beach Cub Scout Pack 74's annual flag retirement ceremony on Friday, Oct. 1. Photo by Jarleene Almenas
Dan Giaimo, of Ormond Strong, sings the national anthem at the Ormond Beach Cub Scout Pack 74's annual flag retirement ceremony on Friday, Oct. 1. Photo by Jarleene Almenas
Arrow of Light Scouts Landon Oliva, Seth Mancuso, Blake Miller, Robbie Mara, Erick Palacios, Jr., William Wagner and Garrett Wagner recite the Scout Oath. Photo by Jarleene Almenas
Ormond Beach Police Chief Jesse Godfrey greets Pack 74 at its annual flag retirement ceremony on Friday, Oct. 1, Photo by Jarleene Almenas
Ormond Beach Police Capt. D.W. Smith addresses the cub scouts at the Ormond Beach Cub Scout Pack 74's annual flag retirement ceremony on Friday, Oct. 1. Photo by Jarleene Almenas
Caroline Price, wolf scout, stands as she's recognized by Pack 74 Achievement Chair Catherine Livingston Root, Pack 74 Cubmaster Sarah Mancuso and Wolf Den Leader Will Price. Photo by Jarleene Almenas
Pack 74 Cubmaster Sarah Mancuso and Arrow of Light Scouts Landon Oliva, Garrett Wagner, William Wagner and Erick Palacios Jr. during the annual flag retirement ceremony on Friday, Oct. 1. Photo by Jarleene Almenas
Tiger Scout Kayden Lawler and his mother, Tiger Den Leader Lisa Stacy, participate in the flag retirement ceremony. Photo by Jarleene Almenas
Embers fly as scouts place flag pieces into the fire at the Ormond Beach Cub Scout Pack 74's annual flag retirement ceremony on Friday, Oct. 1. Photo by Jarleene Almenas
Ormond Beach Police Chief Jesse Godfrey places the stars of the U.S. flag in the fire. Photo by Jarleene Almenas
A sibling of a Pack 74 scout joins in on the flag retirement ceremony. Photo by Jarleene Almenas.
A Boy Scout for Troop 468 participates in the flag retirement ceremony at the Ormond Beach Cub Scout Pack 74's annual flag retirement ceremony on Friday, Oct. 1. Photo by Jarleene Almenas
Arrow of Light Scout Garrett Wagner and Webelos Scout William Price retire flags at the Ormond Beach Cub Scout Pack 74's annual flag retirement ceremony on Friday, Oct. 1. Photo by Jarleene Almenas
Arrow of Light Scout Landon Oliva places a red stripe in the fire at the Ormond Beach Cub Scout Pack 74's annual flag retirement ceremony on Friday, Oct. 1. Photo by Jarleene Almenas
New Pack 74 Wolf Scout Kaleb Nutt takes part in the flag retirement ceremony on Friday, Oct. 1. Photo by Jarleene Almenas
Ormond Beach Cub Scout Pack 74 has been around for a long time — 65 years, to be exact, a milestone marked by the pack's first annual meeting and flag retirement ceremony, held at Oasis Church on Friday, Oct. 1.
As one of the oldest packs in the state, Pack 74 Cubmaster Sarah Mancuso said what makes this year especially meaningful is the fact that the pack was able to remain active through the pandemic. It wasn't easy; COVID-19 meant the pack's recruitment was down, and for its existing scouts, many virtual meetings to stay connected.
“It was really, really hard, but we were able to make it through, and we’ve been able to make it through all of the difficult times," Mancuso said. "We’re just excited to get back to some semblance of normal in scouting as much as possible, and so tonight is really about that restart.”
Present at the ceremony was Ormond Beach Police Capt. D.W. Smith, a former Pack 74 cub scout himself. He looked over the small crowd as the sun set, and reminisced about his own experiences.
“When I smell this campfire and see all of your merit badges and pins and everything that you got on your uniforms, I know you did a really good job and a lot of hard work to earn them," Smith said. "It makes me really proud of y’all, and I’m honored to be here.”
Cub Scout Pack 74, which is sponsored by Lighthouse Christ Presbyterian Church, has held a flag retirement ceremony for the past few years, and Mancuso said that it teaches them about respecting the flag and good citizenship. To be properly retired, a flag's starts and stripes must be separated before being burned. Present at the ceremony were the Embry-Riddle ROTC Colorguard and Ormond Strong.
The pack also does a variety of service projects for the community, including taking care of Riviera Park. Recently, the scouts walked in the city of Ormond Beach's 9/11 Remembrance Walk alongside first responders.
“We’re always looking for ways to give back," Mancuso said. "We’re always looking for ways to have the kids learn about service. That’s really a cornerstone of what scouts is all about.”
To learn more about Cub Scout Pack 74, visit www.facebook.com/CubScoutPack74 or email [email protected]
