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Patriotic Scout Refuses to Let Flag Touch the Ground

Cole D., waits for help, holding the American flag. (Photo credit: WTVM/ Rhonda Ordway Pester)
Cole D., waits for help, holding the American flag. (Photo credit: WTVM/ Rhonda Ordway Pester)

After an act of valor went viral, Cole D., 18, has been hailed a hero. But this young patriot was just doing what Scouts do—demonstrating Duty to Country.

Cole was passing a local school last week when he spotted an American flag partially lying on the ground after sinking from its flag pole. Knowing this was no state in which the American flag should ever be, the Scout rushed to the Star-Spangled Banner and swept it off of the ground.

Cole knew just who to call for help. As luck would have it, this was the very school for which his grandmother worked and she knew how to get assistance.

There he remained, flag in hand, until school officials arrived to hoist the flag back into its proper position.

As the two waited, Cole’s grandmother snapped a photo of her grandson as he patiently performed his patriotic duty. Cole’s mother, Rhonda Ordway Pester, shared the photo online and it wasn’t long before social media was buzzing with the story.

On his Facebook page, Cole shared, “This picture of me got almost 100 likes and almost 60 shares in two hours. Makes me proud. Thank you all for the support! I didn’t intend to get recognized for what I did. But I am sure glad to see the support and respect for the flag. I love this flag and this country. God bless America,” WTVM reports.

Pester explained to WTVM, her son learned the proper way to care for and honor the American flag through his involvement in Scouting.

Among the many lessons learned in Scouting, Duty to Country teaches young people how important it is to honor the American flag and the values it symbolizes. As the Boy Scout Handbook, Thirteenth Edition explains, “The flag of the United States is much more than just a red, white, and blue cloth. As the symbol of America, it stands for the past, present, and future of our country. It represents our people, our land, and our many ways of life.”

To learn more about Cole’s dutiful act, read the full story by WTVM.

Video credit: WTVM.com-Columbus, GA News Weather & Sports

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Rochelle

Rochelle Randles is a communications specialist at the Boy Scouts of America. She enjoys sharing incredible adventure stories within the Scouting community and beyond. If you have story ideas or questions, reach out to us at communications@scouting.org.