'A great patriotic program': Collinsville gains a flag disposal box
Beverly Foutz noticed that some residents in Collinsville didn't know how to properly dispose of flags. With the help of grant funding, she's aiming to change that.
The life of an American flag is a respectable one, and Beverly Foutz, a member of the Collinsville Grange, believes it should retire in the same manner.
A flag's retirement ceremony can be completed a few different ways, but the most symbolic and prestigious way to destroy an old, worn, frayed or faded United States Flag is by burning it, according to Flags USA.
Anyone is authorized to retire a flag in a private, dignified location, according to the flag code.
Foutz said she noticed a lack of knowledge in her community when it comes to flag disposals. Some people, Foutz said, even resorted to putting rolled up flags in their cupboards.
The Grange is an organization designed to be the voice of the American farmer after the Civil War and has evolved into a community service organization. Through the Grange, Foutz applied for a grant from the Butler Rural Electric Community Connection program to go toward a flag disposal box. Butler Rural Electric awarded her $400.
Foutz found a parcel post box and hired Luxurious Wraps, a family owned store in Somerville, to wrap it.
Jay Hammond, owner of Luxurious Wraps, said he came up with the final design based on the ideas the Grange gave him.
"We're used to kind of doing crazy things, out of the box stuff," Hammond said. "We do appliances, we've done refrigerators, and stoves, and countertops, and walls, and floors, windows. I mean, you pretty much name it. I've even done a guy's prosthetic leg before. So pretty much if vinyl will stick to it, we'll put it on."
After the box was wrapped, the Grange showcased it in one of its booths during the Butler County Fair.
"You just don't want to throw your flag in the trash," Hammond said. "So it's a good way to, you know, properly dispose [of the flag], like the way [it's] respectfully supposed to be done."
Foutz said her end goal is to over time enlist the help of girl scout and boy scout troops, junior Grangers, 4-H clubs and more to learn the importance of having ceremonies like this in place.
"We could have a different one each time, or a couple, so that they would learn how you're supposed to properly dispose of flags and eventually have them maybe do the readings or lead the Pledge of Allegiance," Foutz said. "It would be a great patriotic program for them to learn."
The box will be located at the Collinsville Community Center by the end of August. Foutz said she hopes to have the first burning ceremony in the beginning of September.
