Please join Troop 200 as we retire worn American flags on Monday, May 7 at the Holjes-Sheppard Memorial Park in Lebanon Borough.  The ceremony will begin at 6:30 p.m.

This ceremony is open to the public.  If you have a flag you would like to have retired please bring it with you to the event or contact us to make other arrangements.  We’ve invited local Cub Scout Packs, local businesses and community leaders and with each passing day we’re confirming more attendees including:

• Larry MOAT Friend, local vexillologist and former Troop 200 Scoutmaster, will be on hand to share his knowledge about our flag and its history
• Members of Rolling Thunder, a non-profit organization and everyone donates his or her time because they believe in the POW/MIA issue.
• Lebanon Borough Mayor Michael Reino
• Members of the VFW and other veteran organizations

Our Connection to Holjes-Sheppard Memorial Park.  Holjes-Sheppard Memorial Park has a special meaning to our troop, it is named after two  Troop 200 Scouts, Fred Holjes and Robert Sheppard, whose names are on on our neckerchiefs. The park has been the site of several Eagle Scout projects over the years.

Both Fred and Robert grew up in Lebanon and became members of Troop 200.  In fact, Robert was our very first Eagle Scout!  Both young men graduated from North Hunterdon, went to college and then went on to join the military and serve in Vietnam.  Fred Holjes was killed in Vietnam in 1968.  And, May 7th will mark 48 years to the day that Robert Sheppard was killed when his helicopter crashed in the combat zone in Pleiku Province in South Vietnam.

We will keep these two local heroes in our hearts and minds, as well as all others who have served and continue to serve our nation during this ceremony as we retire the worn American flags in a respectful and meaningful way.  We hope you’ll join us.

View our Troop 200 Flag Retirement flyer