Fire Chief Lee Soptich and Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 3436 Senior Vice Commander David Waggoner are seeking Scout troops, Girl Scouts or Boy Scouts, within the Eastside Fire and Rescue area to assist with the flag protocol process at local fire stations.  The leaders are looking for troops in the Sammamish, Issaquah, North Bend, and May Valley areas to become affiliates.

The three-way partnership (already in place at Station 72/Issaquah and Station 85/Carnation) showcases Scout Troop members as they retire a flag and then raise the replacement.  Flags are provided by the VFW, which also properly disposes the retired flags at a large ceremony in Issaquah.  The solemn ceremony, which takes place at least annually, is open to the public.

Soptich speaks highly of the partnership. “While few words are spoken, the emotions run high and most go away with a renewed sense of patriotism and gratitude for sacrifices made in service to the nation.  I wish we would have done this long ago as it is a powerful display of what we honor and stand for.”

To learn more about the program, please contact Deputy Chief Mike Boyle at mboyle@esf-r.org.