ST. ALBANS, W.Va. –
Retiring American Flags is a long-held honor of the Scouting community and Phillip Cavender took that solemn duty to heart when planning his Eagle Scout project. Cavender, a member of Troop 74 in Tornado, West Virginia, built a large fire pit and benches on the grounds of the West Virginia Army National Guard (WVARNG) St. Albans Armory for proper flag disposal.
The initial Flag Retirement Ceremony was held on March 8, 2023, and Cavender honorably disposed of almost 10 American flags.
Cavender’s father, retired Army Chief Warrant Officer 3 Chad Cavender, works at the armory for the Army Interagency Training and Education Center (AITEC) CBRNE Battalion and said he was happy to support his son’s Eagle Scout Project. He and Sharmel Cavender assisted their son during the planning and building process and joining him in folding and presenting the flags during the ceremony.
The first flags were donated by Brian Ford, a military veteran and AITEC employee who flies them at his home in Beckley. He said the wind is harsh on them, and he’s happy to have a place for retiring them.
“The young Cavender here is doing a great service to the community,” Ford said. “Pound of him. His dad is, too.”
Maj. Joe Pauley, CBRNE Battalion Commander, and Chief Warrant Officer 3 Rob Taylor, battalion executive officer, were in attendance. Pauley said he was thankful for the Cavender family and the new area.
West Virginia House Delegate Walter Hall also attended. Hall helped find material and connect the dots for Cavender and said he is honored to be part of the project. He reached out to Steve Doty, owner of Peerless Block and Army veteran, for supplies. Doty donated 100 percent of materials for the stone above-ground fire pit and four benches.
“I just want to thank the Guard for letting me to put this here,” Cavender said. “I want to thank Walt and Steve. Thanks to my parents for supporting me. I also want to thank my Troop for coming and helping me build this.”