Local scouts participate in ceremony

Boy Scouts and leaders from Putnam County were among the 150 Scouts that participated in the Indianapolis Colts' opening flag ceremony at Lucas Oil Stadium on Sept. 13. Putnam County participants were, from left, Greg Williams (Assistant Scoutmaster for Troop 93 in Cloverdale), Isaac Harms (member of Troop 99 in Greencastle), Nicholas Cupp, Trevar Ladd, Jacob Williams, Jacob Monnett (all members of Troop 93), and Douglas Harms (Troop 99 and Assistant District Commissioner for Putnam County).

The Indianapolis Colts kicked off their 2009 season on Sept. 13 with a flag ceremony carried out by 150 Boy Scouts from central Indiana's Crossroads of America Council that included five scouts and two scout leaders from Putnam County.

Local participants included Greg Williams, Isaac Harms, Nicholas Cupp, Trevar Ladd, Jacob Williams, Jacob Monnett and Douglas Harms.

The scouts unfurled a 100-yard by 50-yard flag over the entire football field while Miss America, Katie Stam from Seymour, sang the National Anthem and four F-16s did a flyby.

Although the impressive ceremony was not broadcast, the 65,757 football fans in attendance at Lucas Oil Stadium responded enthusiastically as the giant flag covered the field.

Participating in the Colts' opening ceremony is just one of many activities planned during the coming months as Boy Scouts across the nation celebrate 100 years of Boy Scouting in America in 2010.

The year promises to be an exciting one for the Boy Scouting movement, for current and former Scouts and their families, and for the communities served by Scouts as they celebrate the century milestone with local, regional, and national activities.

The Wabash Valley District within the Crossroads of America Council consists of Clay, Parke, Putnam, Sullivan, Vermillion, and Vigo Counties, and annually serves over 2,000 youth and 1,000 adult volunteers in these counties.

In Putnam County there are active Scouting units in Bainbridge, Cloverdale, Fillmore, Greencastle, Reelsville, and Roachdale.

Boy Scouts of America is a youth development organization that's designed to prepare young people to make ethical and moral decisions throughout their lifetimes.

The goals of scouting consist of citizenship training, character education and personal fitness.

Throughout the Boy Scout program, young people are encouraged to advance through ranks by fulfilling requirements in the areas of leadership, service and outdoor skills.

To get more information on Boy Scouting, about joining a Cub Scout Pack or Boy Scout Troop, or becoming an adult volunteer, please contact Ethan Rayburn, Wabash Valley District Executive, at (812) 232-949, Ext. 15 or erayburn@crossroadsbsa.org. Information can also be found at the Crossroads of America Council website at www.crossroadsbsa.org.