An Oneonta Boy Scout is helping his community as he works toward Scouting's highest level.
Scott Platukis, 17, is a Life Scout, the second-highest ranking, in Troop 27. He is collecting worn-out American flags for proper disposal as his Eagle Scout project. The Otschedela Council of the Boy Scouts of America approved the project March 3, he said. The successful completion is among the requirements to reach the top ranking.
Since then, Platukis, an Oneonta High senior, said he has worked with eight people to place collection boxes, starting July 15, for flags, around the city. This includes Saint Mary's Roman Catholic Church, First United Methodist Church, Oneonta YMCA, the Scouting office, City Hall and Hannaford.
He has talked with Oneonta American Legion former Commander, Ken "Skip" Beijen about the approved way of disposing of the flags. This includes, Platukis said, cutting the stripes off the flag and then the blue square with the stars. Each group is then burned separately. At the ceremony he will conduct, which will be sometime after the project closes in late August, he will recite passages provided by the American Legion.
Platukis, who has been in Scouting for 11 years, said he is happy with the 60 flags he has received so far.
Beijen said Tuesday that this is an "important" project. Proper flag etiquette is something that concerns all veterans, he said, and he was happy to be involved because "Scouting helps build strong leaders."
The Eagle Scout project is designed to highlight leadership, said Mary Kersman, registrar for the council. To attain the ranking, Scouts must submit a project approved by a local Scouting council before they turn 18. Scouts must have a minimum of 21 merit badges, with 12 of those in mandatory categories. Platukis, who turns 18 on March 31, said he has met the other requirements already.
The Rev. Joseph Benintende said the church is involved as part of its community outreach. The church has a collection box near its main entrance and has mentioned the project in its bulletin, he said.
If a Scout is working on his Eagle project, he said, "We want to help as much as we can."
Scott's father, Gabe Platukis, is the committee chairman for Troop 27.
"I encouraged him to get to this point," he said. "If he wants to do it, he has to do it on his own."
Gabe and his son Kevin, a recent University of Pittsburgh graduate, also earned the Eagle rank.
By having to work with so many people to coordinate the effort, Platukis said, he has learned a lot about communication and leadership skills that will be useful later in life.
After high school, he said, he wants to attend the State University at Buffalo to study architecture.
