Members of the Lock Haven VFW and Clinton County Sheriff’s Department joined scouts from the Susquehanna Council of Scouting America for the ceremony outside the Clinton County Courthouse, which is part of a statewide celebration of patriotism, history and community pride.

The initiative honors the nation’s semiquincentennial by raising a special traveling American flag in each of the state’s 67 counties. Scouts also raised flags that will fly over the White House and Independence Hall — where the Declaration of Independence and U.S. Constitution were debated and signed — on the nation’s 250th birthday, July 4.

Another flag, along with a photo of the scouts and a Scouting America banner signed by ceremony participants, will be displayed by the Smithsonian Institution for the nation’s 300th anniversary in 2076.

The flag-raising ceremonies taking place across Pennsylvania are also part of the National Flag Foundation’s “Light to Unite,” a rallying cry encouraging Americans to fly the Stars and Stripes on July 4, 2026, and illuminate landmarks in red, white and blue.

PHOTOS PROVIDED Attendees at the ceremony pose for a group photo underneath the flags.

“Our scouts aren’t just watching history; they’re helping make it happen by standing, leading and serving their communities,” said Ashley Sparrow, district executive for the Susquehanna Council. “We are constantly teaching them respect of the flag, so this was a great opportunity for us to be able to get them more immersed in that citizenship role, teaching them that they’re making history just by participating in these types of things.”

Flags Across the Commonwealth is a way for scouts to celebrate the nation’s milestone anniversary while learning about history and putting service into action, she added.

The initiative began Feb. 8 in Philadelphia, Scouting’s birthday, and will conclude on Flag Day, June 14, in Pittsburgh.

Before arriving in Lock Haven, the flag had flown over 31 other counties. This past week, the Susquehanna Council raised the flags over Lycoming, Snyder and Union counties. Next week, it will fly over Northumberland County before being passed to the Juniata Valley Council.

“We hope they will remember being part of our nation’s 250th anniversary and will go on to positively affect America’s future,” Sparrow said.

PHOTOS PROVIDED A Scouting America banner was signed by ceremony participants.

Scouts Leo and Zeke Dobos, Alexis Zimmerman, Riley Knecht, and Easton and Ryland Sparrow participated in the ceremony, alongside Sheriff Kerry Stover and deputies from the Clinton County Sheriff’s Office.

Each scout received a special patch and the sheriff’s department was given a framed patch and certificate of appreciation, as was the local VFW.

“As we close today,” Sparrow said, “I encourage everyone to reflect on what the American flag represents — freedom, service and responsibility — and the role each of us plays in upholding those ideals in our communities, state and nation.”

PHOTOS PROVIDED The Scouting America banner, also seen as Sheriff Stover posed with the scouts, will be displayed by the Smithsonian Institution for the nation’s 300th anniversary in 2076.

PHOTOS PROVIDED A scout receives a commemorative patch denoting his participation in the event.