Catonsville Teen Collecting Old American Flags To Retire

CATONSVILLE, MD — A Scout from Catonsville wants your American flag. Jack Callahan, 17, understands that not everyone knows all of the rules and regulations surrounding the proper use of the American flag, including how to dispose of one. For his Eagle Scout project, Callahan is collecting old flags and burning them, which is the correct retirement ceremony for one.

"The flag code states that you have to dispose of it respectfully, mostly by burning until it's beyond recognition as being an American flag," Callahan told WBAL. "It’s always fun when someone drops off a flag and gets a little back story, like, 'Oh, I was was in the military and this flag was with me for all my tours.'"

Stories like that are part of the reason he's collecting old flags. He plans to hold the retirement ceremony July 5 at Dewey Lohman American Legion. He'll livestream it on Facebook on his page Fun with Flags so the public can watch, since no one can be present due to the coronavirus guidelines.