Lavonia City Council Approves Scout Flag Box to be Placed in Front of City Hall

A local Boy Scout from Lavonia Troop 51 is spearheading an effort to help people properly retire their tattered, old, or worn American Flag.

Connor McDuffie came before the Lavonia City Council last week to explain the project why it’s important.

“There’s no physical box in the community to allow them to retire their flags or have others to retire their flags,” he explained. “So, my project would give the community to show their patriotism and give them a place to drop off their flags. So, Boy Scout Troop 51 can retire those flags if they cannot.”

When a flag is worn out or no longer a fitting symbol to display, the United States Flag Code says it should be retired in a dignified way, preferably burned and buried.

According to the Veterans of Foreign Wars web site, “While the federal code contains no penalties for misusing the flag, states have their own flag codes and may impose penalties. The language of the federal code makes clear that the flag is a living symbol.”

McDuffie is working on being promoted to Eagle Scout and as part of his project, he asked that his flag disposal box be placed in the front of City Hall.

Connor McDuffie trt: oc:

“And I would ask the Council’s permission if I can show the City of Lavonia’s patriotism by  building the box and placing it in front of the Lavonia City Hall’s doors in order to show the City Counci’s patriotism and how much we support our Country. It will also allow for easy access for Troup 51, which is stationed down by the park, to come and go and pick up any flags that are dropped off during the week,” McDuffie requested.

After hearing from McDuffie, the Council voted unanimously to approved the location of McDuffie’s flag box.

According to the U.S. Flag Code, the proper way to dispose of an American Flag is to:

1. Fold the flag in the customary triangle manner.
2. Prepare a fire large enough to burn the flag completely.
3. Place the flag in the fire.
4. While it burns, witnesses should recite the Pledge of Allegiance or salute.
5. End the ceremony with a moment of silence before burying the flag’s ashes.

Scouts will then collect the retired flags from the box and properly retire them according to the U.S. Flag Code.