As part of its efforts to promote recycling and litter reduction in the community, Keep Gilmer Beautiful now accepts worn American flags ready for retirement.
The local beautification and community enhancement group now has a drop-off box inside the lobby of the Gilmer County Commissioners Office, located in the county courthouse complex next to the voter registrar’s office.
The drop-off box sponsored by ACCG (Association County Commissioners of Georgia) was supplied to the local nonprofit by Keep Georgia Beautiful, a statewide affiliate of Keep America Beautiful with which the Gilmer group is now associated.
“If you look around town, there are lots of businesses, as well as banks, post offices and schools, that fly the flag. However, not everyone knows what to do with a flag when it’s time to be retired. This box can be used by anyone including local residents, companies and government agencies,” said Karen Vitelli, of the Keep Gilmer Beautiful advisory board.
Group members will check the box each month and take any deposited flags to the Ellijay American Legion Post 82 where they will be officially retired.
“They said they would properly do a ceremony of burning (the flags),” Vitelli said.
The U.S. Flag Code dictates how to respectfully retire flags that have become worn or ragged, she noted. The flag, when it is in such condition that it is no longer a fitting emblem of display, should be destroyed in a dignified way, preferably by burning, it states.
“Burning isn’t the only way to dispose of a flag,” Vitelli said. “You can also fold it, then place it in a dignified box and bury it, saying a few words if you wish. You may also (take) it to your local American Legion or Veterans of Foreign Wars or the Boy or Girl Scouts.”
The Stars and Stripes are typically flown on any day, but particularly in recognition of certain national and state holidays, Vitelli noted.
Those include: New Year’s Day, Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Inauguration Day, Abraham Lincoln’s birthday, George Washington’s birthday, Easter Sunday, Mother’s Day, Peace Officers Memorial Day, Armed Forces Day, Memorial Day, Flag Day, Father’s Day, Independence Day, National Korean War Veterans Armistice Day, Labor Day, Patriot Day, Constitution Day, Gold Star Mother’s Day, Firefighters Memorial Weekend, Columbus Day, Navy Day, Election Day, Veterans Day, Thanksgiving, Pearl Harbor Day and Christmas.
“I’m a Navy brat, the daughter of a Navy veteran. If you’re like me, you were raised with an American flag flying outside in your yard. I have done this all my life, even after getting married and having my own house. We are lucky here in Ellijay to now have an American Flag collection box provided at the courthouse,” said Vitelli.