On Veterans Day, Independence Day and Memorial Day, central Texans fly their U.S. flags with pride. For many, there is no greater symbol of American values than the nation’s flag. And even though ‘These colors never run,’ the wind and sun in Williamson County take a toll on the cherished symbol, resulting in frayed edges, torn seams and fading.
“When they’re worn down, it’s not respectful to fly them,” said Brennan Zupfer, an Eagle Scout with Taylor Troop 167. “Our flag is an image of our country, so you want a strong image. If it’s worn and tattered, it reflects back on our country, and we’re looking at it while doing the national anthem or pledge of allegiance. So you need to respectfully retire it.”
The U.S. Flag Code states, “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.”
In Taylor, damaged flags can be dropped off in a special receptacle by the Scout Hut in Murphy Park. “The flag should be folded with respect before being dropped off,” said Scout Master Chris Zupfer. “The box is raised so the flags that are placed inside don’t touch the ground.” Taylor Troop 167 conducts flag retirement ceremonies each year to burn flags that residents have dropped off. This year’s spring ceremony was canceled due to the burn ban, so a fall ceremony should be in the planning stages, Chris Zupfer said. “There’s an entire ceremony to retire the flags,” Chris Zupfer said. “There is special wording as an old flag is lowered from a flagpole and a new one is raised.
We separate the blue part, called the ‘union’ from the stripes and the two parts are burned separately.”
Residents of Hutto can drop off their flags at any of five special drop boxes set up last June by Elliot Koncaba as part of his Eagle Scout Community Project for Boy Scout Troop 350. The receptacles are in the lobby of Hutto City Hall, Hutto Police Department, Hutto Fire Stations No. 1 and No. 2 and American Legion Post 302.
