ROCK ISLAND ARSENAL, Ill.-Mission accomplished!

That was the feeling for a group of local Cub Scouts after successfully folding the American flag during the 5 p.m. retreat ceremony here Oct. 2.

Headquarters Company Soldiers from the Army Sustainment Command provided training earlier in the afternoon and assisted the Pack 644 scouts. The pack is with the Illowa Council, Kittan District, John F. Kennedy Catholic School in Davenport, Iowa.

"Part of their requirements for obtaining their Webelos badge is to plan and participate in a flag ceremony," said John Scordato, den leader. "Another of their requirements is obtaining the Citizen Activity badge ... what better place to learn about being a good citizen than right here at the Arsenal."

The eight scouts were trained in proper folding procedures by Sgt. 1st Class Andre James, Staff Sgt. Chris Louis, and Sgt. Maj. Nicholas Castillo, at Memorial Park. The park is known for its fun playground and abundant outdoor eating areas, but also is home to an impressive display of Army combat equipment from previous decades.

A couple hours before retreat, the ASC Soldiers went over the flag-folding procedure step-by-step with the scouts several times to reinforce their developing skills.

During a break, Zach Hirst, 9, remarked about the training and opportunity to participate in an actual Army retreat ceremony: "I think that it's inspiring to thank all the troops serving our country," the fourth-grader said, adding he has an uncle who has served in uniform.

"I kind of feel happy/prideful at the same time," Hirst said.

Asked if he had any concerns going into the actual ceremony, Hirst replied with his worst fear.

"I feel a little nervous because I don't want to drop it," he said, adding that the flag would then have to be burned.

During the break, the boys gathered with on a picnic table with Scordato to discuss the rights of citizens, good citizenship practices, names of government leaders, history of the American flag, background on the "Star-Spangled Banner," along with even signing it -- albeit eight slightly different ways.

"I think it's phenomenal. These guys are professionals," Scordato said of the Soldiers a few minutes prior to the actual retreat ceremony. "It's something else to learn from these leaders."

Scordato said this was the first time Pack 664 has been at RIA for involvement in an event like this. "I thought it would be real cool to participate in it."

Scordato said that scouting serves a unique role in a child's upbringing.

"It's an important thing ... learning things they don't learn in school."

He said he hoped the scouts' participation in the ceremony would lead them to a better understanding of the flag and "the respect that the flag is due."

By all accounts, the scouts learned that and more. Their careful attention to detail while folding the flag and bringing it to its final destination in the hands of Sgt. 1st Class James, an ASC trainer, was a testament to their new-found understanding.

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For queries, contact the Army Sustainment Command Public Affairs Office at rock-amsas-pa@conus.army.mil or by phone at 309-782-5421.

For current ASC news, go to www.aschq.army.mil.