Troop 5043 pays tribute to local veteran by installing new American flags
December 4, 2022
Girl Scouts from River Valley Service Unit Troop 5043 honored local Marine veteran, Ron Freschette, in Auburn. With a little help from Veterans of Foreign Wars (WFW) member, Auntie Jax, the girls learned how to conduct an official retirement ceremony to properly retire two of Ron’s American flags from service and replace them with new ones.
The troop first met Ron while selling nuts and chocolate door-to-door in their community. When the girls approached Ron’s home, he became apologetic for the state of his tattered and worn American flags outside—he just didn’t have the help he needed to physically replace them… queue Girl Scouts!
Troop 5043 saw Ron’s unfortunate situation as an opportunity to help someone in their area—a veteran no less—and a chance to learn more about flag ceremonies. Using funds from their cookie sales, the girls purchased two new American flags and brought them to Ron’s home in early December to replace his old ones.
“Ron was so appreciative, he had two pans of freshly baked super chocolate brownies and hot chocolate waiting for us after a job well done,” said Troop Leader Jamie Ribisi-Braley.
After installing the flags, volunteers and Girl Scouts from Troop 5043 made plans to visit Ron in the future to help him with a range of activities such as snow plowing, learning how to use camera equipment—they even helped match Ron with a new dog through a local non-profit shelter for veteran companions.
