On July 3, 2025 at 10:00 a.m., Flag Plaza Scout Center will serve as the site of Flags United, a landmark patriotic ceremony bringing together two major flag initiatives: Flags Across Pennsylvania and the Flag Sojourn, led by the National Flag Foundation.
This historic event represents the convergence of statewide and national efforts honoring the American flag ahead of the nation’s 250th anniversary on July 4, 2026, highlighting the enduring values of service, unity, and civic pride.
The Flag Sojourn, a traveling national initiative led by the National Flag Foundation, will arrive in Pittsburgh and complete 13 ceremonial stops leading up to America’s Semiquincentennial celebration. At Flag Plaza Scout Center, the Sojourn will join the culmination of Pennsylvania’s statewide Flags Across Pennsylvania initiative for a unified ceremonial program.
The Flags Across Pennsylvania initiative, conducted in partnership with the Pennsylvania Sheriffs’ Association, has carried three American flags — plus one Scouting America flag — through all 67 counties of the Commonwealth since February 2025, engaging Scouts in formal flag ceremonies and community-based civic education.
Flags United will serve as the ceremonial bridge between these two efforts, symbolizing the connection between local service, statewide participation, and national commemoration. The program will highlight the role of Scouts in leading civic engagement initiatives and reinforcing respect for the flag through action and participation.
The Flags United ceremony will include the participation of 250 American Legion Riders, who will join in honoring the flags during the program. Following the ceremony the next day, the Riders will escort the flags as they continue their final journey to Washington, D.C., and Harrisburg, where they will be placed in their final historic resting locations.
“This event represents the power of partnership and the importance of civic tradition across generations,” said Todd McGregor, Scout Executive. “From Scouts in local communities to national organizations and veteran riders, Flags United brings together those who have served and those who are learning what service means.”
Flags United underscores the broader significance of America’s 250th anniversary by connecting grassroots participation with national observance, creating a moment that honors both history and the future of civic engagement.
The event is open to invited guests, community partners, and participants in the Flag Sojourn and Flags Across Pennsylvania initiatives. Learn more on our website at https://lhcscouting.org/flags-across-pennsylvania-flags-united/.
About Scouting America, Laurel Highlands Council
Laurel Highlands Council serves over 12,000+ youth across western Pennsylvania western Maryland, and parts of West Virginia, providing programs that build character, leadership, and life skills through Scouting. Learn more at lhcscouting.org.
About the National Flag Foundation: The National Flag Foundation, headquartered in Pittsburgh, PA, was established to honor and respect the American flag, which serves as a symbol of freedom and unity for the United States. The foundation aims to bring awareness to the flag’s history and the protocols for its care and handling. It provides educational resources for teachers, students, and citizens to foster a deeper understanding and appreciation of the flag and what it represents.
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