By JAN LARSON McLAUGHLIN
BG Independent News
A Bowling Green teen is on her way to being among the first girls in the nation to earn her Eagle Scout rank in the Boy Scouts of America.
With family, fellow scouts, city and legion officials gathered Wednesday evening, Ela Ostrowski dedicated her Eagle Scout project – an American flag retirement box.
“I saw a need in the community,” said Ela, a freshman at Bowling Green High School. Prior to Ela’s project, the only local site to drop off flags for proper disposal was a box inside the post office. “There was not one out in the open, in public.”
So Ela talked with Bowling Green City Park officials about placing a box at the west entrance to the new Veterans Building. And she coordinated with American Legion Post 45, whose members will collect the flags and dispose of them properly.
“I grew up volunteering for them,” she said of the legion post.
Ela’s father, Chris Ostrowski, and her grandfather are both veterans.
“I wanted them and other veterans in the community to know their flags would be disposed of properly,” she said.
After the dedication ceremony, Steve Benner, of American Legion Post 45, talked about the importance of proper retirement of American flags.
“They are pretty sacred,” Benner said. “I envision all the people in our history who have fought and died under that symbol. They need to be retired respectfully.”
Even before the dedication on Wednesday, the box had one flag inside.
“She put her grandfather’s flag in there first,” Chris Ostrowski said of his daughter. “I’m extremely proud.”
Ela’s mom, Jen Ostrowski, said she is also proud of her daughter’s efforts to excel in the Boy Scouts of America.
“It was a natural thing,” her mom said. “She enjoys challenges and trying new things. I’m very proud of all her initiatives.”
Previously a Girl Scout, Ela has been a member of Boy Scout Troop 219 in Perrysburg for just over two years.
“It was really important for me to be a part of Boy Scouts of America,” she said. “It offered me more of an outlet.”
The troop, with her dad as one of the leaders, does several “high adventure,” outdoors, camping and community activities.
As part of her Eagle Scout project, Ela conducted fundraising for the materials, and led her fellow troop members in the construction of the flag box.
“They really worked hard on it,” her dad said.
As part of Ela’s research on the flag retirement box, she found that many people mistake them for mail boxes. So right under the instruction to “please place flag in slot,” there is a warning that “no mail” be inserted.
The project not only provides a community service, but it is also a step toward Ela’s dream to reach the highest scout ranking.
“A few months ago, girls started earning their Eagle Scout ranks across the country,” she said. She hopes to soon follow. “My goal has been to become an Eagle Scout.”
