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Lincoln flag gets special reception in nation's Capital

| 04 Mar 2015 | 09:17
    One flag deserves another: Scouts were presented with the flag that flew over the Capitol in their honor. Pictured (from left): Kevan Kelly, Scoutmaster; Wesley Witherel, Scout; Lori Strelecki, Pike County Historical Society Museum Director; Ryan Shucard, U.S. Rep. Marino’s press secretary; and David Schotsch Jr., Scout. (Photo provided)
    One flag deserves another: Scouts were presented with the flag that flew over the Capitol in their honor. Pictured (from left): Kevan Kelly, Scoutmaster; Wesley Witherel, Scout; Lori Strelecki, Pike County Historical Society Museum Director; Ryan Shucard, U.S. Rep. Marino’s press secretary; and David Schotsch Jr., Scout. (Photo provided)
    The Lincoln Flag at home in the Columns Museum (Photo provided)
    The Lincoln Flag at home in the Columns Museum (Photo provided)

MILFORD — The Lincoln Flag, stained with the blood of a martyred president, left its home at the Columns Museum in Milford for a three-month stay at Ford's Theater Education and Learning Center in Washington, D.C.

The flag was sent off with a ceremony conducted by Troop 5, Dingmans Ferry Boy Scouts and Eagle Scouts, and local Marines of the 909 Gung Ho Division. The flag was received in Washington by the enthusiastic staff at Ford's and their assistant curator, Heather Hoagland.

Also on hand were Ryan Shucard, press secretary for U.S. Rep. Tom Marino, 10th District; and Pennsylvania and Senior Counsel Jeffrey L. Wieand Jr.

The flag was delivered by 12 members of Troop 5 and their Scoutmaster, Kevan Kelly, along with a few assistant leaders and parents and the director of the Columns, the museum of the Pike County Historical Society. They received an exclusive tour of Ford's Theater, where President Lincoln was fatally shot by John Wilkes Booth on April 14, 1865. The Milford contingent received a rare, up-close glimpse of the Presidential Box.

The Scouts ably represented the Columns Museum and Pike County while in the Capital. They spent a chilly evening in sleeping cabins at the nearby Maryland KOA Capitol Campsite, their use donated by proprietor and scouting enthusiast Brian Goddard.

The trip was funded by several local museum supporters. Sean Strub and the Hotel Fauchère donated pastries for the send-off, and 20 delicious bagged lunches for the Scouts' trip south, consumed with gusto at the halfway mark. Eric Horn and family, Fretta's Italian Specialties, Twin Cedars Senior Living, Mountain Laurel Post VFW, Meyer Motel, Senator Lisa Baker and Harrington House also supported the Scouts in their journey.

The flag will be the focal point of an exhibit titled "Silent Witnesses: Artifacts of the Lincoln Assassination" that will run through May 26. This exhibit marks the first time the Lincoln Flag and other blood relics and items in Ford's Theater on that fateful night will be exhibited together. The show is already close to being sold out.

Bus trip plannedThe Pike County Historical Society invites the public to join a bus trip to Washington from April 19 to 21 for a visit to the exhibit, Ford's Theater, and The Peterson House.

The historical society urges: "Don't miss this opportunity to see our county's own Lincoln Flag among the rest of the items that gained a place in history due to the tragedy of the Lincoln's assassination, in this the 150th anniversary year of our most beloved President's death,"

Ten seats are available. Tickets cost $550 and include transportation, two nights' lodging at Marriott Annapolis Waterfront, tickets to a show at Ford's Theater, a tour of all Lincoln sites and the Naval Academy at Annapolis. Call 570-296-8126 to reserve before March 18.

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"Lincoln flag to revisit the scene of the crime": http://bit.ly/1DX1lLd