A scout’s duty is always to God and Country

LAFOLLETTE, TN (SPECIAL TO WLAF)- On Wednesday, just two days before Independence Day, Scout Troop 310, Troop 311, and Cub Pack 108 came together to install a new flagpole at their recently established charter home at  East LaFollette Baptist Church. It marked both a fresh beginning for the program and a fitting tribute to the nation’s upcoming celebration. “In the olden days, settlers would place a flag at a site they deemed home and with that, welcome home,” said Troop Committee Chairman Chris Thacker to the scouts in attendance.

This project symbolizes the strong fellowship between the units and East LaFollette Baptist Church while showing reverence to Old Glory just days before her 250th birthday. For many citizens and church members, this project is more than a simple flagpole, it serves as a reminder that a Scout’s duty is always to God and Country and the commitment thereof is instilled in all Scouts.

All of the Scout units’ memories will now be under this United States Flag and pole, and hopefully, like Old Glory, for 250 more years to come.

Taking part in Wednesday’s event were  Troop 310/311, Pack 108 Committee  Vice Chairman Crystal Thacker, Troop 311 Assistant Scoutmaster Claire Matherly, Troop 310 Assistant Scoutmaster/Pack 108 Den Leader Stewart Thacker, Troop 310/311, Pack 108 Committee Chairman Chris Thacker, Troop 310 Scout Mikey Hicks, Troop 310 Scoutmaster Cody Phillips, Troop 311 Assistant Scoutmaster Jessica Phillips, Troop 311 Jenna Gibson, Troop 310/311 Secretary and Pack 108 Cubmaster Amanda Johnson, Troop 311 Tenderfoot Scout Maddie Matherly, Troop 311 Tenderfoot Scout Makenzie Kibler, Troop 310 Second Class Scout Andy Wooden, Troop 310 Tenderfoot Scout Zeke Phillips, Pack 108 Cub Scout Grayson Gibson and Pack 108 Cub Scout Fletcher Johnson. (WLAF NEWS PUBLISHED-07/03/2026-6AM-PHOTOS COURTESY OF WLAF’S CHARLIE HUTSON)