Flags Headed For Retirement Have A New Permanent Home

Standing beside the freshly painted red, white, and blue mailbox July 29 in his white Sea Scouts uniform, Boy Scout Robert “Bobby” Mascher said, “We needed a mailbox for the flags.”

Residents now have a first-of-its-kind permanent location to drop off older flags for proper disposal. As an Eagle Scout project, Bobby found and purchased a used free-standing mail drop box, refinished it, and placed it outside the Veterans of Foreign Wars, VFW Post 308 building on Freedom Defenders Way, the cul-de-sac portion of Tinkerfield Road.

“A lot of people don’t know where to drop their old flags,” said post Vice Commander James Rebman. The VFW members will dispose of the flags, which will be burned “with a few words of honor,” he explained.

First Selectman Pat Llodra, who joined a small group at the VFW post to unveil the drop box in late July said, “This is a great idea and will be here forever.” She also noted, “There is a process and respect that goes with the retirement.”

In an effort to thank veterans for their service and this country’s freedom, Bobby had contacted Mr Rebman, who has served in three deployments to Afghanistan, and they discussed a need for a retired flag receptacle.

Thousands of flags annually from cemeteries, residences, and businesses all need retirement, Mr Rebman explained.

“Flags deserve respect,” said Vice Commander Rebman. “When you see flags come home from Iraq or Afghanistan, if you have seen it once, you have seen it too much.”

Also with Bobby at the VFW in late July were his father Tom and Sea Scout leader Chip Rieve, skipper of Sea Scouts Ship #110, which sails from Bridgeport. The Sea Scout program teaches “leadership through seamanship,” Mr Rieve said. Learn more at ship110-ct.org.

Mr Rebman expressed thanks to William Furley of BK Septic who donated his time to the project.

To help fund this Eagle Scout project, Bobby and Sea Scouts Ship #110 crew members will have a car wash on August 13 from 9 am to 2 pm at the VFW Post #308. Additional contributions for the retired flag drop box are welcome. Make checks payable to Ship #110: and send to VFW Post #308, 18 Tinkerfield Road, Newtown CT 06470.