Current Usage
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 Guy 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.
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.
On September 18, 1987, Boy Scout Troop 514 went to Washington, D.C. where the Challenger flag was flown once again over the United States Capitol—the first flag to have ever been returned to be reflown.
In 2002, the Challenger flag was loaned to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints to be displayed in Salt Lake City during the 2002 Winter Olympic games.
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.
On November 3, 2012, the flag was brought onstage for a Mitt Romney rally in Denver by scoutmaster Bill Tolbert.
Read more about this topic: Challenger Flag
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