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Eagle Scout retires flags at ceremony

By Steve Ferris 3 min read

Many Fayette County dignitaries commended 16-year-old Chris Hunchuck of Uniontown for collecting more than 2,000 worn and tattered American flags and properly retiring them for his Eagle Scout project Friday. They also talked about the valuable lessons youths can learn from Scouting.

“This young man is definitely a role model for other young people in the area,” Uniontown Mayor James Sileo said at the flag retirement ceremony, held at American Legion Post 51 in Uniontown.

Joe T. Joseph of the Legion sponsored Hunchuck’s Eagle Scout project.

“Eagle Scouts go on to become very successful in life,” said state Rep. Larry Roberts (D-South Union Twp.), the main speaker. “It is a major achievement in a young man’s life.”

He said Hunchuck will receive a citation from the House of Representatives.

The speakers also praised Hunchuck’s parents, Mary and Lawrence Hunchuck, for not just raising one fine young man, but because Chris’ two older brothers, Aaron, 19, and Stephen, 17, are Eagle Scouts.

Fayette County Commissioner Vincent A. Vicites and North Union Township Magisterial District Judge Deberah Kula both said they have known the Hunchuck family for many years.

Vicites said he was not surprised to learn that the family produced three Eagle Scouts.

“Scouting … it’s a great thing to keep young people on the right track. I hope all Scouts become future leaders of Fayette County,” Vicites said.

Kula said Hunchuck’s project helped to teach him how to communicate with people and to pursue the goals he believes are important.

In her courtroom, Kula said, she sees too many young people who do not respect their families, the community, the country and themselves, but people like Hunchuck are reasons for hope.

“It gives me hope that more young people will … see what they can achieve by hard work,” Kula said.

Angela M. Zimmerlink, chairwoman of the county commissioners, congratulated Hunchuck and his family.

The Hunchuck boys and several other Eagle Scouts from Troop 612 at St. Therese Catholic Church were recognized as they assisted Chris Hunchuck in the retirement ceremony.

They folded the flags and then burned them in the Legion parking lot. The remains will be buried.

“These gentlemen are the true meaning of Eagle Scouts,” Joseph said.

He said less than one-half of 1 percent of all Eagle Scouts get in trouble with the law, and many go on to careers in the military and public service.

Uniontown Fire Department Assistant Chief Chuck Coldren, who is Scoutmaster at St. Mary’s Church and chairman of the Scouts district advancement committee, said those trying to become Eagle Scouts are not judged only on the amount of work they put into their projects.

He said the main objective in becoming an Eagle Scout is to demonstrate leadership.

Military veteran Ken White, of the Rolling Thunder group, said he sees too many torn and tattered flags at homes and office buildings, and too many flags used inappropriately.

He said people who buy flags are charged with taking care of them.

“You may own the fabric the flag is made of, but you don’t own the symbol. The symbol belongs to all of us,” White said.

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