Wolfe Collecting Worn-out US Flags

From Rockland County Legislature: Rockland County Legislator Alden H. Wolfe is providing a convenient location for people to drop off their old, worn or tattered U.S. flags so they can be disposed of properly.

“We received numerous flags after we launched our first collection and we’re offering the same drop-off arrangement this year in response,” Legislator Wolfe said. “Our flag is a symbol of America’s democracy and when the flag becomes worn, it should be properly retired.”

The collection effort will provide visitors to county government offices, as well as county workers and anyone else who wants to stop by, with a convenient drop-off location for their worn U.S. flags.

All flags placed into the collection box will be turned over to the Fromm-Maxwell-Debaun American Legion Post 859 in Suffern. The post annually receives about 800 worn U.S. flags, which are properly retired in time for Flag Day on June 14. This year, the flags will be retired onJune 10, according to Post Commander Patrick Casper.

The U.S. Flag Code states the correct use and display rules for all occasions and situations. Section 8K states that the flag, “when it is in such condition that it is no longer a fitting emblem for display, should be destroyed in a dignified way, preferably by burning.”

Collected flags will be hand-delivered to Post 859 for proper disposal during a 1 p.m. June 10 retirement ceremony.

Flags may be dropped off between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. weekdays through June 7 at the Legislature’s Offices, 11 New Hempstead Road in New City. Call 845-638-5100 for more information.

Photo courtesy of Rockland County Legislature (Legislator Alden H. Wolfe kicks off the inaugural worn U.S. Flag collection, joined by John Leighton, Past Commandant of Rockland Detachment 243 of the Marine Corps League and a member of the Rockland County Veterans Coordinating Council; Patrick Casper, Commander of the Fromm-Maxwell-Debaun American Legion Post 859 in Suffern; and Legislator Aney Paul.)