Thank you to Donna Keller for providing the pictures and information!
During this last year the American Legion and the American Legion Auxiliary has been celebrating their 100th anniversary of being founded. To commentate this special year, the Sainte Marie American Legion Auxiliary Unit 932 wanted to do something special. The idea of an exterior flag box drop off outside the post home was discussed. There is no flag drop box available in Jasper County and the Auxiliary felt there was a need. The road past the Sainte Marie American Legion Post 932 is also a heavily traveled road, which would make it a convenient place for people to drop off their torn and tattered flags where they could be disposed of properly. The Auxiliary then asked the Sainte Marie Sons of the American Legion Squadron 932 if they would like to help the idea become a reality. With the S.A.L. on board it was brought to the American Legion Post 932 members for permission to go forward with the project. Not only did they agree to the project, but wanted to help monetarily and pay their part to help make the project happen. Bruce E. Ochs, Commander of the Sainte Marie Sons of the American Legion Squadron 932, volunteered to make and donate the concrete base for the flag drop box. According to the American Legion website, there are guidelines for the proper disposal of an American flag. * The U.S. Flag Code suggests that when a flag has served its useful purpose, “it should be destroyed, preferably by burning.” For individual citizens, this should be done discreetly so the act of destruction is not perceived as a protest or desecration. * Many American Legion posts conduct disposal ceremonies of unserviceable flags, especially on Flag Day (June 14) or Memorial Day. Such ceremonies are particularly dignified and solemn occasions for the retirement of unserviceable flags. * Take your old flags to your local American Legion post. They will be happy to retire your flags in their next disposal ceremony. The Sainte Marie American Legion Post 932 family is very proud to bring this service to the people in the area. Working together as a Legion family for the good of the post, they were able to accomplish something of which to be proud. The Legion Post 932 holds an official flag retirement service during the Memorial Day weekend. People are welcome and encouraged to use the flag drop box in Sainte Marie for their work and tattered flags. They may also bring flags to the post home during open hours on Friday and Saturday evenings from 6-9 pm and Sundays from 3-9 pm.
