Want an American flag delivered to your door?

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Want an American flag delivered to your door?

 

http://www.idahostatesman.com/localnews/story/100144.html

 

Boy Scouts set up and take down flags in northwest Boise and Eagle for a troop fundraiser.

 

By Tessa Schweigert - tschweigert@ idahostatesman.com

Edition Date: 07/06/07

 

In the realm of delivering holiday cheer before dawn, there's Santa Claus, the Easter Bunny and a group of local Boy Scouts.

 

Instead of presents or Easter eggs, the 16 Boy Scouts set up American flags for patriotic holidays, including Independence Day.

 

Early Wednesday morning the crew planted the stars and stripes in 136 lawns scattered throughout northwest Boise and Eagle.

 

The Scouts charge $30 for the service, which guarantees an American flag on President's Day, Memorial Day, Flag Day, the Fourth of July, Patriot Day and Veterans Day. Flags are delivered before 8 a.m. and typically taken down around dusk that evening. The money earned from the fundraiser pays for Scouts' outings, camps and supplies.

 

Despite awaking at early morning hours, the Scouts, ranging from age 12 to 16, say they enjoy delivering flags.

 

"It's fun you get to go around hammering things in people's lawns," said 12-year-old Logan McArthur. "Except we got hit with sprinklers once. That was the worst."

 

The Scouts, part of Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints sponsored Troop No. 42, deliver flags in northwest Boise and east Eagle only.

 

Their clientele in the area has continued to increase since the Scouts began the service three years ago.

 

"It helps celebrate patriotism for people who want to but can't," McArthur said.

 

The Scouts have people identify where they want the flag set up on the property. Some people ask for more than one flag like Maryann Ball and her husband, who pay for six American flags to be set up six times during the year. The couple has a long driveway, and Ball said the flags are set up along the drive before she wakes up.

 

"We're happy to support them," Ball said. "I think it's a novel idea, and they've done a really great job with it."

 

Throughout the year, the Scouts learn about patriotism, and this activity helps teach about the flag while also working to earn money for Scout activities, said Scout leaders Bruce Dunkley and Brian Hall.

 

Expectations of fishing, shooting and archery are often 12-year-old Jared Huber's incentive for getting up around 6 a.m. to deliver flags.

 

After all the early mornings and work, "If Scout camp is a dud, I'm going to be kind of irked," Huber said.

 

The scouts leave for camp later this month.

 

How to get a flag: Troop 42 delivers flags in Northwest Boise and eastern Eagle. Contact Bruce Dunkley at 343-7090.

 

Tessa Schweigert: 377-6427