American flags now have a place
for a dignified disposal

BY CHUCK TUCK | JOURNAL REPORTER Tony Morea and Kim Ralls demonstrate how the new flag depository boxes work. The clouds cleared just long enough Saturday morning to enjoy the flag retirement box dedication ceremony at the Lake Stevens War Memorial.
Many of the local residents are very patriotic and fly the American flag daily to show their patriotism, but what happens when your flag becomes tattered or torn?

American Legion Post 181 Commander Tony Morea said in his speech that, “When it is in such condition that it is no longer a fitting emblem for display, the flag should be destroyed in a dignified way, preferably by burning.”

Post 181 and many other individuals and businesses have taken steps to ensure the proper disposal of the American flag by donating and installing a flag depository drop box at the War Memorial.

The cement pad for the flag box is still curing so the box will be permanently secured once the cement has hardened. People will be able to deposit their flags and be assured that the flag will be destroyed in a dignified way.

“It took about two years to get the whole thing going,” said Post 181, Adjutant, Tom Thorleifson. “It all started with Michelle Quinn the Postmaster.”

Not many communities are fortunate enough to have a flag depository box because of the dedication it takes to maintain the boxes.

“Don Mulder was the one who actually went to Michelle and said, ‘can you get one of these?’” Thorleifson added.

Quinn was able to locate the flag boxes in Yakima after a long period of looking around, where Sergeant-at-Arms, Ron McEntire drove to pick them up. However, the boxes still needed to be sandblasted and painted.

“We got these sandblasted and ready to paint, and we were looking for somebody in the Lake Stevens community to do this for us but we ended up going to Everett.”

The sandblasting was done by Frank Koty, and painting was provided by Craig Hammon of Carlson Autobody.

Morea said they were looking for a special design which Vern Sherman from the Department of Graphics in Everett was able to provide.

Others involved in the project that the Legion thanked were Kim Ralls, project driver, Gary Topp of Everett Safe and Lock, Mayor Vern Little, and Public Works Director, Dave Ostergaard.

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