Challenger flag

William "Bill" Tolbert had ordered a "Capitol flag" through Troop 514's congressional representative as a part of the United States Capitol Flag Program. The flag was manufactured by the Valley Forge Flag Company and had been flown briefly over the United States Capitol building in Washington, D.C., on January 25, 1985. Tolbert intended that this Capitol flag eventually be flown aboard a space shuttle and returned to the scout troop, to serve as a source of inspiration. Through calling in multiple favors, the flag was eventually submitted to the NASA Johnson Space Center by the 2d Space Wing, for flight on a space shuttle. On December 18, 1986, the Challenger flag was returned to Boy Scout Troop 514 in a special ceremony attended by 100 dignitaries, guests, and members of the media, at the Consolidated Space Operations Center, Falcon Air Force Station, Colorado. Astronaut Guion Bluford, who had flown on board the Challenger on two previous missions, and who is also an Eagle Scout, returned the flag to the troop. ==Later usage==

Following the flag's return, Troop 514 continued to display the Challenger flag for certain special public events and Eagle Courts of Honor. Early in 1987, Chief Justice Warren E. Burger designated the Challenger flag as the official flag of the ceremonies commemorating the United States Constitution bicentennial and he invited the troop to participate in the bicentennial gala in Philadelphia. On September 17, 1987, the flag was part of a parade through the streets of Philadelphia, and that evening it was presented on the stage of the Philadelphia Civic Center Hall as part of the opening ceremonies. The celebration was attended by an audience of 13,000 people, It was also raised at the 2002 Winter Olympics opening ceremony. After the ceremony, it was lowered and displayed at the Joseph Smith Memorial Building before being raised again at the closing ceremony. In 2011, the flag was flown at an Eagle Scout Court of Honor. On November 3, 2012, the flag was brought onstage for a Mitt Romney rally in Denver by Scoutmaster Bill Tolbert. On the 25th anniversary of the Challenger disaster, the Challenger flag was flown at the reveille formation of the United States Air Force Academy. The flag's flying was arranged by Troop 514's current Scoutmaster and Cadet Group One Air Officer Commanding, Lt. Col. Michael Hastriter. In January 2016, the 30th anniversary of the Challenger disaster, the Challenger flag was displayed at a special memorial dinner organized by Challenger Learning Center of Colorado. Retired Shuttle Astronaut Susan Helms was the keynote speaker. On September 26, 2019, at the dedication of the new Challenger Learning Center of Colorado, the Challenger flag was displayed in front of active and retired US Air Force and NASA dignitaries. Dr. June Scobee Rodgers, widow of Challenger Shuttle commander Dick Scobee, presented the keynote address. Ms. Laura Husband, daughter of the late Columbia Shuttle commander Rick Husband, sang the national anthem at the dedication. ==References==