The event was a part of Flags Across the Commonwealth, an ongoing celebration that began in Philadelphia on Feb. 8 — the Boy Scouts’ birthday — and will conclude in Pittsburgh on Flag Day on June 14. The same flags are being passed from

county to county within Pennsylvania, with the flags raised in Blair County already having been raised in more than half the Commonwealth’s counties.

Blair County’s flag raising kicked off with Juniata Valley Council Scout Executive Jeff Pickett speaking about the significance of the flags being raised.

“The flags already have been flown over 38 Pennsylvania county courthouses or other significant landmarks,” Pickett said. “Scouting’s about leadership, character and citizenship, and today’s ceremony brings those values to life for these young people.”

Blair County Sheriff James Ott (left) was presented a Certificate of Appreciation by Juniata Valley Council of Scouting America Scout Executive Jeff Pickett during the Light to Unite/Flags across the Commonwealth ceremony at the Blair County Courthouse on Tuesday afternoon. Mirror photo by Patrick Waksmunski

Pickett said he hoped the scouts gathered would remember being a part of the nation’s 250th anniversary and go on to positively impact its future.

“Our scouts aren’t just watching history; they’re helping make it happen by standing, leading and serving within their communities,” Pickett said.

Aran Corey, a junior in the Hollidaysburg Area School District and senior patrol leader who has been a member of the Scouts for 10 years, described the opportunity to participate in Flags Across the Commonwealth as an “honor.”

“It means me and my troop got to be a part of a great milestone in our nation’s history,” Corey said.

Troop Leader Mike Engle said Corey was “one of our most patriotic Scouts.”

Scouts Lucas Foley, Paul Luke and Seth Weitzel (from left) of Troop 3030, Duncansville proceed to raise the flag during the Light to Unite/Flags across the Commonwealth ceremony at the Blair County Courthouse on Tuesday afternoon. Mirror photo by Patrick Waksmunski

It was no surprise then that Corey was given the task of calling out the orders to three other Boy Scouts as they raised the flag.

The ceremony saw three flags raised, with Pickett later explaining that one would go to the Smithsonian, another to the National Flag Foundation and the third to the National Scouting Museum in New Mexico.

Pickett worked alongside Blair County Sheriff James Ott, who is the president of the state Sheriff’s Association, to make the celebration possible.

“Our council covers five counties: Blair, Huntingdon, Mifflin, Juniata and Centre,” Pickett said. “This day would not be possible without the partnership of the Pennsylvania Sheriff’s Association, who signed on as our statewide liaison to each county sheriff throughout the commonwealth. We’re grateful for their leadership, service and willingness to stand beside our youth in honoring our nation.”

Pickett then presented Ott with a certificate of appreciation for his efforts.

Scouts Jacob Pochak and Dean Pochak of Troop 3031, Duncansville, and William Stuckey and Joseph Stuckey (from left) of Troop 3032, Hollidaysburg, salute during the raising of the flag during the Light to Unite/Flags across the Commonwealth ceremony at the Blair County Courthouse on Tuesday afternoon. Mirror photo by Patrick Waksmunski

Ott said he was “completely humbled” and wanted to “impress upon the young people” to push forward and strive to do good in their communities.

“I’m very pleased and honored to be able to be a part of this,” Ott said.

In closing out the ceremony, Pickett encouraged those present “to reflect on what the American flag represents.”

“It represents freedom, service and responsibility and the role each of us plays in upholding those ideals in our communities, commonwealth and nation.”

The flags will next be raised in front of the Huntingdon County Courthouse on Thursday at 4 p.m. After that, it will be raised in front of the Juniata County Courthouse on Friday at 4 p.m.; Centre County’s Curtin Village on Friday at 8:30 a.m.; and in front of the Mifflin County Courthouse on Monday at 4 p.m.

Area scouts from Juniata Valley Council of Scouting America took part in the Light to Unite/Flags across the Commonwealth ceremony at the Blair County Courthouse on Tuesday afternoon. Mirror photo by Patrick Waksmunski

Mirror Staff Writer Rachel Foor-Musselman is at 814-946-7458.