Scout official: Confederate flags flown by troop in Peach Days parade a mistake
AP
This Feb. 4, 2013, file photo shows a detail of a Boy Scout uniform worn during a news conference in front of the Boy Scouts of America headquarters in Irving, Texas. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez, File)Outdated state flags with Confederate markings made their way into the Peach Days parade on Friday.
According to Allen Endicott, Boy Scout executive for the Crossroads of the West Council, Troop 589 of Brigham City was given a set of old state flags for their part in the parade.
Troop leaders were made aware of the situation and corrected it with updated flags for use during events on Saturday, he said.
While Boy Scouts of America Senior District Executive for Crossroads of the West Council Jason Eborn believes the incident to be an unfortunate oversight, he said it provided an opportunity to teach kids why some symbols may be offensive to others.
“I’m pretty sure the flags did not belong to the troop,” Eborn said.
Monica Holdaway, Box Elder Chamber of Commerce’s executive director, said the agency was only made aware of the situation Monday morning.
The Boy Scouts participate in the parade every year without incident, according to a written statement provided by the Chamber, which organizes Peach Days.
“We have many entries,” Holdaway said of the parade. “We do not visually inspect every flag.”
It is unknown who provided the outdated flags to Troop 589. Endicott said he believes the incident to be an honest mistake.