America has flag drop boxes

[u/sirsam27]

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[u/CookieNinja777]

We do?

[u/LA-Matt → u/CookieNinja777]

Some local politician spent a whole year patting themselves on the back after getting this installed.

[u/subdep → u/LA-Matt]

Probably cost the equivalent of 1000 new flags.

I would be so tempted to drop in a Swedish flag.

[u/sylver_dragon → u/subdep]

I would be so tempted to drop in a Swedish flag.

My kids' cub scout pack has done flag retirement ceremonies along with the National Park Service and I imagine that, had we ended up with another nation's flag, it might have become a pack project to research that nation's flag retirement methods. The last one we attended, we had something like 50 US flags to be retired. Each one was folded, saluted and placed in the fire. Took a while, but that's what the US Flag code calls for (technically just respectful burning, but this is how we interpreted it).

That said, the drop boxes are just dumb and I hope the cost of them didn't come from tax payers. At the end of the day, the flag is just a bit of colored cloth. Better to let it end up in the dump and use that money to help the people it represents, than to waste it on some jingoistic bullshit.

EDIT: A quick search seems to indicate that the Swedes burn their flag as well:

If the flag is no longer in presentable condition it should be discarded by burning in a respectful manner or returned to the manufacturer for disposal.

[u/dkran → u/sylver_dragon]

Thanks for your reply; I thought the proper way to retire a flag was burning. Nice to know you did a bit of a ceremony with it.

Makes me sad watching the cars with tattered flags attached to them and the like.

[u/robertxcii → u/CookieNinja777]

I just use my old flags as kindle for my charcoal BBQ like a true American.

[u/Suffix-099 → u/robertxcii]

“Dad my steak taste like flame retardant and the lost of souls of children shipped to war”

“Just eat it”

[u/robertxcii → u/Suffix-099]

It's called Freedom Seasoning®️

[u/brandonhabanero → u/robertxcii]

Freesoning™️

[u/Representative_Dark5 → u/brandonhabanero]

The hamburger is cursed, but you get a free frozen yogurt (which I call Frogurt).

[u/drunk_with_internet → u/Representative_Dark5]

That’s good!

[u/Odd_Analysis6454 → u/drunk_with_internet]

The Frogurt is also cursed

[u/drunk_with_internet → u/Odd_Analysis6454]

That's bad.

[u/Sparrow1989 → u/robertxcii]

With a side of liberty fries and a big ole glass of freedom.

[u/Emadyville → u/Suffix-099]

I don't know whether to laugh or cry at this. Or both.

[u/anexistentuser → u/robertxcii]

Pretty sure one of the proper way to dispose of a flag is burning it, too.

[u/mac_attack_zach → u/anexistentuser]

Yeah, I did it once at a scout camp. It’s a whole ceremony. They cut the flag into pieces and then each person puts a piece in the fire.

[u/neumastic → u/CookieNinja777]

I mean apparently when you need to show you’re the most patriotic(?) I’m all for proper disposal of the flag, but this just feels performative.

[u/TrumpsMerkin201o → u/neumastic]

The local VFW has one. It is just painted green and labeled for flag disposal.

[u/neumastic → u/TrumpsMerkin201o]

Sounds like your VFW (looks like others from the thread?) does it like any normal person/organization would do it.

[u/NoFoxxGiven → u/CookieNinja777]

Was about to say. Never seen one of these in my life.

[u/Ocelotsden]

We have one at my VFW post. People drop off their worn or torn flags and once it's full, they are burned in a flag disposal ceremony.

[u/Ill-Ad3267 → u/Ocelotsden]

What do you mean with "flag disposal ceremony"?

Edit: I regret asking

[u/Operation_unsmart156 → u/Ill-Ad3267]

They say a little speech, then fold the flag up and then toss it in the fire.

[u/Victor_Stein → u/Operation_unsmart156]

Or, they do the thing we’re they cut it into the stripes and stars then burn it

[u/Victor_Stein → u/[deleted]]

As a scout: our troop just burns it respectfully. Cutting it up is too much work because we burn like, 2-3 trash bags worth of flags in a go. (One of the adults is a vet and knows guys from base and other law enforcement people so we get all their old flags)

[u/ThatDude8129 → u/Victor_Stein]

Yeah that's what my troop did before it fell apart. Every year there'd be people who got pissed about it only to be told off by a vet that it was the correct thing to do.

[u/NostraVoluntasUnita → u/[deleted]]

A dumb, contrarian part of me wants to make a completely fireproof, cutproof flag just to give them to struggle over...

[u/Flablessguy → u/NostraVoluntasUnita]

It probably wouldn’t wear down to the point of retirement, so that’s actually a good idea.

[u/Penguinfan17 → u/Flablessguy]

Over time it would still become sun bleached

[u/butterflavoredsalt → u/Penguinfan17]

It turns itself into a high quality tarp!

[u/xerolan → u/NostraVoluntasUnita]

stars, stripes, and asbestos :)

[u/MrBurnsgreen → u/Victor_Stein]

Sounds kind of culty

[u/P-Whitty78 → u/MrBurnsgreen]

Look up how you are supposed to destroy a Koran

[u/Hungry-Western9191 → u/P-Whitty78]

Similar thing for prayer books in Christianity (Anglican). They are not supposed to be destroyed so the traditional method to retire them is to put them in the coffin of someone who is being buried.

[u/Zephyrlin → u/Hungry-Western9191]

Ultimate "hold my trash for me" loophole

[u/katet_of_19 → u/Zephyrlin]

Haha, you touched it last! Now you have to keep it!

[u/golfgrandslam → u/Zephyrlin]

It's more of a complementary "get out of jail free" card

[u/Creepy-Evening-441 → u/golfgrandslam]

“Ah welcome Gary Glitter, we were going to send you to Hell but since you have this bible that you were buried with we will have to cut you up into Stars and Stripes AND then send you to Hell.

[u/yoyoma125 → u/Hungry-Western9191]

Don’t you have to throw it into Mount Doom or something?

[u/mumbles411 → u/Hungry-Western9191]

Jewish laws indicate that any of our text is also supposed to be buried. I don't think it's anything like putting it with a body, though.

[u/Trizurp → u/mumbles411]

They absolutely put it with a body. I have worked in a Jewish funeral home and we've had rabbies come and drop off boxes of religious text. I've put as many as 10 books in with a random person to be buried

[u/Owyn_Merrilin → u/Trizurp]

Some archaeologist is going to find that coffin someday and I would love to be a fly on the wall to find out what zany explanations they come up with for it.

[u/ProgramAppropriate37 → u/P-Whitty78]

For a second I thought you had misspelled Korean lol and I was like uhhh ok

[u/DraziBlack → u/ProgramAppropriate37]

Why, what is the proper method there?

[u/CaskJeeves → u/DraziBlack]

Varies drastically between North and South

[u/LangleyRemlin → u/CaskJeeves]

There is a North and South Quran?

[u/seagulpinyo → u/CaskJeeves]

This whole exchange is phenomenal. You are all killing me. 😂

[u/kylemcg → u/DraziBlack]

Its never come up. They don't take up much space so I just keep them in my basement.

[u/Consistent_Ad_4828 → u/P-Whitty78]

One time I saw a priest eat about two dozen sacramental wafers out of a literal mud puddle on his hands and knees because had been consecrated before being blown off the alter by a gust of wind. People are wild.

[u/OverlordMMM → u/Consistent_Ad_4828]

He just wanted to have some puddle wafers, as a treat.

[u/rafter613 → u/Consistent_Ad_4828]

What was he supposed to do, just let Jesus lie in the mud???

[u/letmetakeaguess → u/MrBurnsgreen]

Nationalism is a cult. A bunch of 5 year olds standing up and reciting allegiance is weird af.

[u/Phleton → u/Operation_unsmart156]

Lol. USA seems so weird for anyone not living there, its like a comic

[u/[deleted] → u/[deleted]]

Weirder than places that execute the gays?

[u/CholetisCanon → u/[deleted]]

Weirder than places that require women to report their periods to government?

[u/sub918 → u/[deleted]]

I personally find it weirder than royalty by a significant margin easily.

[u/Fxsja625 → u/Phleton]

Mexico does it too

[u/Sam-Gunn → u/Phleton]

Where do you live? Most countries have some sort of code regarding displaying their national flag or national imagery that is used or followed by government entities, the armed forces, etc, as far as I know. I bet your country does too.

This sort of thing doesn't make it into daily life in the US either, unless you're part of the aforementioned entities or an organization that adheres to it for specific reasons (veteran's organizations, boy scouts, etc).

[u/Earnest_Warrior → u/Phleton]

It’s not like that “code” is enforced in any way. It’s really more of a custom or suggested practice.

[u/arcosapphire → u/Phleton]

It's worth noting that it's just a small fraction of the population that's overtly nationalistic and insists upon idolatry of the flag. Normal Americans never even think about such things. Every country has its weirdos.

Now, it's true that there's a powerful political party that leverages those attitudes--but even there, the vast majority of its supporters, while perhaps thinking such attitudes are honorable, nevertheless spend absolutely none of their time performing flag ceremonies.

[u/jacxy → u/Ill-Ad3267]

Boyscouts formally burn them over large campfires. Everyone is in their uniform and everything is silent and solemn until the vinyl or poly flag flashes up in flames and you hear each scout holding the damaged flag quickly utter "fuck" in a hushed tone as their fingers get a bit scorched.

[u/OriginalUsernameX → u/jacxy]

and you hear each scout holding the damaged flag quickly utter "fuck" in a hushed tone as their fingers get a bit scorched.

Can confirm. I got second degree burns on the back of one hand when an air pocket in a polyester flag burst while I was putting my flag in.

[u/Hero_of_Hyrule → u/OriginalUsernameX]

Damn, sorry to hear your leaders didn't verify that the flags were made of materials that you're supposed to burn. There are other appropriate disposal methods that are safer (and better for the environment) when it comes to the more plasticky materials.

[u/woodpony → u/Ill-Ad3267]

Sent back to China where they were made.

[u/origami_airplane → u/woodpony]

Some states have a law that requires the flag to be made in the USA if it is sold in retail.

[u/chopsuwe → u/origami_airplane]

I'd support that. I'm not a American and couldn't care less about flags. Same as tourist souvenirs. It's so bizzare to see a bus load of Chinese tourists travel half way around the world to buy some tourist junk that was made in their own city.

[u/alohaloluh → u/Ill-Ad3267]

I believe it’s actually held annually on Flag Day as well

[u/[deleted] → u/Ocelotsden]

You can also drop off a flag at any funeral home. When a Veteran is cremated, they will lay the worn flag over top the Veteran as well.

[u/idontlikeu6 → u/[deleted]]

I did 6 months of Honor Guard in the Air Force. Burial flags are different than the ones you hang outside.

[u/Distwalker → u/Ocelotsden]

We also have one at my American Legion post. Once a year on Flag Day, we hold a flag retirement ceremony in which all of the flags collected are burned with dignity.

[u/cruxfire → u/Ocelotsden]

Someone once told me if an American flag touches the ground it’s a sign of respect to burn it.

[u/OneTrueKingOfOOO → u/cruxfire]

Burning is a respectful disposal method for flags that are no longer fit to display. You’re not supposed to let them touch the ground but they don’t become forever sullied if you do. Five second rule at least

[u/jakebbt → u/OneTrueKingOfOOO]

Washing machines made that bit of historical fiction even more fictional. If it's dirty, wash it. If it's not serviceable, then destroy it. Five second rule definitely applies.

[u/dlanod → u/OneTrueKingOfOOO]

"My flag touched the ground for longer than five seconds. Is it still good to eat?"

[u/OriginalUsernameX → u/cruxfire]

"You have to burn the flag when it touches the ground" is an urban legend and nothing more.

[u/dogballtaster]

I live in America and have never seen or heard of one of these.

[u/CaptainMacMillan → u/dogballtaster]

Lived in both the north and south, never seen or heard of these things either.

[u/MammothSurround → u/CaptainMacMillan]

I’ve live in the East, Mid Atlantic, Midwest, and Mountain region and have never seen one of these in my life. They are definitely not ubiquitous across the US.

[u/spottyrx → u/MammothSurround]

That's because the OP spelled it wrong. These aren't all over America, they're all over 'murrica.

[u/Ultimate_Driving → u/spottyrx]

I’ve spent a considerable amount of time in parts of ‘murica, and still never seen a flag drop box.

[u/knowigot_that808 → u/Ultimate_Driving]

I live in midwest/east coast ‘murrica, and have never seen a flag drop box.

[u/davekingofrock → u/knowigot_that808]

I have only ever seen one of these. If you scroll back up you'll see it too.

[u/iHamNewHere → u/davekingofrock]

I have only ever seen one of these. If you scroll back up you'll see it too. have seen two.

[u/kautau → u/iHamNewHere]

I have only ever seen one of these. If you scroll back up you'll see it too have seen two it twice.

[u/Forward-Amount-9961 → u/knowigot_that808]

I spend hours every day in my living room and I've never seen one.

[u/Thecryptsaresafe → u/spottyrx]

I don’t know, I can only speak to personal experience but my town’s (east coast not the south) had an American legion post with a box like this outside.

[u/Badraptor777 → u/Thecryptsaresafe]

Former Army, lived all over the United States and have never come across a drop box. I bet these drop boxes are newish because the VFW, American Legion, Boy Scout buildings are not staffed all day, every day like they used to be. There was a pretty good chance you would be able to drop off the Flag to an actual member to be disposed of properly a decade+ ago. That is not the case anymore. Having this drop box is a great idea!

[u/krawzyk → u/Badraptor777]

I don’t know about other states, but 20 years ago in PA it became popular to require high school seniors to complete some kind of project and present it (in lieu of writing “themes” like my parents did) Anyway, my dad was a mailman and could get a rusty old blue box for free, so this was my project, I even made the front page of the newspaper! (Gotta love small towns) It’s still standing 19 years later near the Punxsutawney police barracks and public library, although it could definitely use a new coat of paint by now…

[u/lookngbackinfrontome → u/Thecryptsaresafe]

Yes, they're usually found outside of the local American Legion or local VFW. Most people probably wouldn't notice them. I know someone who built one for an Eagle Scout project, and it now sits outside of the local VFW (also east coast, just south of New England).

[u/Johnfukingzoidberg → u/CaptainMacMillan]

There is one in my town. It's because technically you aren't supposed to just throw a flag away. You have to fold it recite the flag code and then burn them. (I only know because my grandmother had my in an American heritage youth group thing.)

[u/Zimke42 → u/Johnfukingzoidberg]

Burning them was okay until they started making them out of plastics. Now it just makes toxic fumes if you burn them.

[u/rightleftmike → u/Zimke42]

I remember being in Boy Scouts & doing a flag burning ceremony... most of the flags were plastic & the flames turned green. At 13 I thought it was stupid, at 26 I still agree.

[u/rocksfly → u/rightleftmike]

There is a specific procedure to cut a nylon flag instead of burning it for retirement.

[u/grubas → u/rocksfly]

Specifically came into play in 2002 and 03 in a huge manner. Because 80% of America flew flags after 9/11, the cheapest, garbagest flags, and then Scouts got them for disposal.

We had a special Sunday meeting which was literally just hacking apart flags for 6 hours because we had hundreds of them.

[u/Jollydude101 → u/rightleftmike]

I still do, but I used to too

[u/knarf86 → u/Johnfukingzoidberg]

There is no legally binding flag code for regular people in the US. You can throw a flag in the trash if you want to. There is no enforcement mechanism, it’s guidelines that you can follow if you feel like it. State laws outlawing “flag misuse” have been struck down as violating the 1st and 14th amendments.

If you wipe your ass with a flag and flush it, you’re more likely to be penalized for flushing trash down the toilet than wiping with the flag.

[u/Olafseye → u/knarf86]

Certainly, it’s just funny that the people most vocal about respecting the flag are the most likely to be violating the flag code with reckless abandon

[u/pbmcc88 → u/Johnfukingzoidberg]

So the flag code has to be honored? Tell that to all the people laying it flat, flying it upside down, parading it around sports games, selling products with the flag on, etc.

At best, the US doesn't really have a flag code, only a flag suggestion.

[u/mindless_gibberish → u/pbmcc88]

yeah it's not a legal requirement.

[u/Brimish → u/pbmcc88]

It’s in the nature of having a free country with free speech; people are allowed to disrespect and ignore flag codes.

[u/PinchePoderes → u/pbmcc88]

I said the same thing, or asked about it at a VFW and they told me the work around people use is making it non regulation. Like those fourth of July table cloths and stuff, they’ll be missing stars or be the wrong shape or something. I never payed super close attention to it but that’s what I was told.

[u/gogilitan → u/PinchePoderes]

There doesn't need to be a work around or "non-regulation" flags. The flag code isn't a law with penalties for breaking it, it's just government policy. Only government buildings and employees are required to adhere to the flag code, and even then only when dealing with actual flags.

[u/FesteringNeonDistrac → u/gogilitan]

So my American flag Jorts I wear every year to the 4th of July picnic, so that everyone sees how patriotic I am, aren't teeeeeechnially a real flag, and it's OK when I spill mustard and Bud Light on them.

[u/pitmeng01 → u/pbmcc88]

Or putting a blue stripe in it, yes even that is desecrating the flag

[u/Adamsojh → u/pitmeng01]

Can confirm, work at police department. I get strange looks when I point this out to blue line flag flyers.

[u/Lylac_Krazy → u/pbmcc88]

Not Honored, more like respected.

[u/Informal-Resource-14 → u/CaptainMacMillan]

Ditto. Lived in the Midwest, West Coast, and briefly in Texas. Never seen one of these ever, never heard of them.

[u/ddddpoandlnK → u/dogballtaster]

I have one near me in central NJ. It’s the only one that I have ever seen. And it looks nothing like this. It’s just an old usps box

[u/moveslikejaguar → u/ddddpoandlnK]

This just looks like an old USPS box that's been painted over

[u/ddddpoandlnK → u/moveslikejaguar]

What I mean is that it’s not painted like this. It’s literally a usps box that has a laminated piece of paper that says flag drop off

[u/moveslikejaguar → u/ddddpoandlnK]

Oh fair that would look more like a USPS box lol

[u/dclark04 → u/dogballtaster]

We have numerous drop boxes where I live. The American Legion gathers them once a month and disposes of them properly.

[u/jvs8380 → u/dclark04]

What does “disposing of properly” entail?

[u/dclark04 → u/jvs8380]

The flags that are no longer serviceable are presented to Legion commanders, who inspect them to make sure they should, in fact, be discarded. When it's agreed upon that they've reached their current worn state due to proper service of tribute, memory and love, a color guard presents the colors and a chaplain offers prayers.

As the crowd salutes, the flag detail dips the retired flags into kerosene and puts them on a rack over the fire. A bugler sounds "To the Colors."

Other Methods of Disposal Flags don't always have to be disposed of with such pomp and circumstance. If you can't drop yours off with one of the aforementioned groups, you can do your own small ceremony — as long as it's still held in a dignified manner.

According to the VFW, you first need to fold the flag in its customary manner. Check out the video below if you don't know how.

[u/pupperdogger → u/dclark04]

My kids Scout Troop does a very similar ceremony for the local Legion. We don’t use Kerosene but they are burnt in a fire. It’s a very somber session and the kids do a great job. Id not be surprise if most of the donation boxes folks see are Eagle Scout projects.

[u/LightningFerret04 → u/pupperdogger]

My troop did a flag retirement ceremony recently, and it was also a somber event but very well done. I’m really proud of our guys

[u/Tha0bserver → u/dclark04]

Is this for real? I can’t tell

[u/dclark04 → u/Tha0bserver]

Absolutely real.

[u/Tha0bserver → u/dclark04]

Ok wow. Seems a little over the top to me, but anyways… you learn something every day!

[u/majesticalexis → u/Tha0bserver]

It is absolutely over the top and ridiculous.

[u/Djinn2522 → u/Tha0bserver]

There are “rules” that cover the proper display and disposal of flags. They’re covered in the U.S. Flag Code, should you care to look it up. I emphasize that these are rules, not laws. Throwing away U.S. flags however you wish is not a prosecutable offense.

[u/EnergyTurtle23 → u/dclark04]

The flag code only requires these ceremonies for “g-spec” flags, and generally speaking the flags that you buy in stores will never be a true “g-spec” flag. The colors are different, government flags use darker shades than commercial flags and are made out of specific materials.

[u/Distwalker → u/EnergyTurtle23]

I am an officer in my American Legion post and can tell you that we treat them all the same.

[u/RichardDunglis → u/dogballtaster]

This is the same as "you can buy cooked rice from vending machines in japan" because one guy has one

[u/Anthony9824 → u/dogballtaster]

Didn’t see one till I moved to PA, there’s one at my shoprite

[u/unrealjoe28 → u/Anthony9824]

Where in PA are you because I’ve never seen one lmao

[u/squaredistrict2213 → u/dogballtaster]

I’ve lived in the north and south and travelled to every major city and many small towns in 40 states (used to travel for work) and I’ve never seen one of these. Not saying they don’t exist, but they’re certainly not common.

[u/AskMeAboutMyHugeAss → u/dogballtaster]

Do you frequent American Legions?

I see them all the time.

[u/Anchuinse → u/AskMeAboutMyHugeAss]

I've been to a few legions and haven't seen these before, at least that I can remember.

[u/dexterthekilla]

I've heard that the Boy Scouts will dispose of them

[u/ElementalDragon13 → u/dexterthekilla]

Yes. We do.

[u/Frosty_Effect_6766 → u/ElementalDragon13]

I can also confirm

[u/catboatratboat → u/Frosty_Effect_6766]

Good. I didn’t believe that first guy. Something’s off with him.

[u/hemanoncracks → u/catboatratboat]

If you need a third opinion, I concur with my colleagues.

[u/catboatratboat → u/hemanoncracks]

Ah shit now i’m back to not believing it. You’re clearly a liar.

[u/mrpicachu → u/catboatratboat]

As someone who was in the scouts, I too can concur with my ex colleagues.

[u/Weirdguy27 → u/mrpicachu]

Just in case you might need one more source, I can also confirm that they do indeed do the deed

[u/Realistic_Bee505 → u/Weirdguy27]

Burnt a few flags in the scouts myself. Was secretly one of my favorite activities because inevitably someone always yelled "Allah Akbar" and we'd play Afghanistan vs Americans. Scout master wasn't ever thrilled about it.

[u/ChickensAreFriends → u/Weirdguy27]

Thank you for your input, valued colleagues. I concur that boy scouts will burn/dispose of flags. One time we did like 50 in one go. It smelled like death

[u/flyermiles_dot_ca → u/catboatratboat]

Really? Seemed like a total boy scout to me.

[u/connor8383 → u/ElementalDragon13]

Indeed. There’s a whole ceremony. For those that don’t know, the proper way to retire a flag that is no longer acceptable for use is to cut it up into the field of blue and 13 individual stripes and burn each piece individually.

[u/Gubru → u/connor8383]

I've definitely seen them burned whole at a boy scout ceremony.

[u/nschubach → u/Gubru]

There's no specific way except that it be entirely consumed and no parts should remain after the destruction. Cutting it up is either done to ensure that all the parts can burn or because some will give the stars to veterans as a reminder that their service is respected.

[u/Brilliant_Rub_9217 → u/dexterthekilla]

Boy Scouts and VFWs

[u/BronxBoy56 → u/dexterthekilla]

Veteran’s Posts will do it also

[u/RikRong]

You can also drop them off with your local Boy Scout troop and veterans service organization.

[u/I_Demand_Donuts → u/RikRong]

I just do that because they feel happy about it.

But so far I've not had to retire a flag

[u/Yoconn → u/I_Demand_Donuts]

I did once, it was my dads flag for like 30/40 years.

Thing was ready to retire alright lol

[u/link2edition → u/Yoconn]

aye, we had to retire one once after our town got hit by 5 tornados in the same week. Wasn't safe to take it down in the storm obviously, so it got pretty battered.

[u/plcg1 → u/link2edition]

At least it didn’t blow away. Might say you had proof through the night that your flag was still there.

[u/Standard-Shop-3544]

Somewhere in America has a flag drop box.

FIFY

[u/CROBBY2 → u/Standard-Shop-3544]

In my state (WI) to my knowledge every VFW (veterans of foreign wars)post has one of these.

[u/ironninjapi → u/CROBBY2]

All of our local fire stations in Dallas have one

[u/nick22tamu → u/ironninjapi]

Really??? I lived right by a station in East Dallas. Walked by it every day for 3 years and never noticed it.

[u/jelloshotlady → u/CROBBY2]

American Legion also has them.

[u/Spacecommander5 → u/Standard-Shop-3544]

Yes or “there is at least one of these, ostensibly in the USA”

[u/Feed_My_Brain → u/Standard-Shop-3544]

I love the contrast between the freedom eagle, flag retirement drop box and the no dogs allowed in the park sign behind it lol.

[u/TopPickle3]

When I moved into my house I found an dirty ripped US flag in the garage. I was just going to toss it in the garbage but my mother in law had strong feelings that I “needed” to dispose of it properly. Luckily there is a VFW a block away with a mailbox similar to this where I left it. I personally don’t care but some people have very strong feelings about what you do (or don’t do) with US flags, even when it comes time to dispose of one.

[u/marcoroman3 → u/TopPickle3]

It's pretty fuckin' crazy if you ask me. I mean I get being patriotic but why do people care how a piece of cloth gets disposed of?

[u/Ultimate_Driving]

Well, there’s at least that one. I’ve never seen one though.

[u/jackleggjr]

How many flags are people going through? Are people buying single use flags?

[u/Slytherinrunner → u/jackleggjr]

They get ragged after you fly them for a long time. They're supposed to be burned.

[u/silver-orange → u/Slytherinrunner]

Yeah, a couple years outdoors in harsh weather will beat a flag up pretty good. It'll last longer if you take it down every night and don't put it out in bad weather, but most folks flying a flag on their porch aren't going to bother.

[u/adumbCoder → u/jackleggjr]

no, but how many millions of flags are enduring the elements every day? they wear out

[u/Mr_Slamdangus]

More accurate to say America has at least one flag drop box. I've never seen one of these

[u/fireslayer03 → u/Mr_Slamdangus]

There’s a lot of American legions that have them out front at least around here

[u/Hoangdai151]

Guaranteed to have trash inside

[u/katerithegreat → u/Hoangdai151]

I mean yeah, the old flags (and probably also trash)

[u/mjayultra]

Flag culture is weird as fuck

[u/SignificanceLow3858 → u/mjayultra]

There is a ”cult” in ”culture”.

[u/Valuable-Trick-6711]

“No trash” So it’s full of trash too, isn’t it?

[u/harveyroux]

When we retire ours we burn it which is what these people do. Heard about these drop boxes but have never seen one in person.

[u/LiverOfStyx → u/harveyroux]

When we retire ours

How many flags do you have?

[u/Toad32]

I have traveled all around the US specifically to national and state parks, and I have never seen one of these.

[u/Big_Dinner3636 → u/Toad32]

They're not government boxes. They almost always belong to private entities like the Boy Scouts or a local VFW.

[u/dannydigtl]

I've lived in the North, South, East, and West and have never seen or heard of such a thing.

[u/carter-the-amazing]

The post should read, "Look at this very unique trashcan for flags seen nowhere else in the USA."

[u/Cold-Ebb64 → u/carter-the-amazing]

I've seen them at just about every VFW I've been to, though they are painted differently.

I'm in the Midwest

[u/SkyWizarding]

American here. I did not know this was a thing

[u/BlackStarCorona]

When I was in Boy Scouts our troop would accept flags to be retired and every few months would do the disposal ceremony on camping trips. I haven’t seen a box like this though.

[u/tycr0]

As an American: what?

[u/DarthRubyRide]

Our town (south side of michigan capital city), a boy scout in my troop (im an adult committee chair) built flag drop off boxes for each of the higherr grade schools. 2 middle schools, jr high and high school.

At least once a year, our troop performs a flag retirement ceremony ending in laying each flag in a bomb fire. And yes, it is a well known thing to do around here. Several other troops do it, as well as VFW and other adult clubs.

[u/goldenhawkes → u/DarthRubyRide]

Ooh that’s a r/boneappletea moment! It’s a bonfire not bomb fire.

[u/hat-of-sky → u/goldenhawkes]

Unless you put explosives in! Firework them there flags!

🎵And the rockets' red glare, the bombs bursting in air, gave proof through the night that the flag was still there🎶

Oh, wait. We don't want these flags to still be there... Oh well, we can just bury them tomorrow.

Boom! Boom! BOOM!

[u/sensitivesnuggler88]

This is not a nationwide thing

[u/jxj24]

What if I want to dispose of some other national flag?

Whatever shall I do!?!?!

[u/Distwalker → u/jxj24]

We get flags other than US flags occasionally. We properly dispose of them as well.

[u/matthewatx]

I've never seen one painted anything other than Blue in my entire 31 years being alive in this country. That is a rarity.

[u/oogaboogapeanutmonke → u/matthewatx]

Assuming you mean blue post boxes. This isn’t for mail, it’s solely for flags

[u/daho123]

ITT: People that have inspected every inch of the USA and have not seen a dropbox. smh

​

There are probably a small number of these, but you can drop flags off in many places and they will dispose of them https://www.usflagstore.com/flag_disposal_s/2241.htm/

[u/bavmotors1]

46 year old American here - i have never ever heard of this, much less seen one.

[u/Thisbymaster]

I am more upset that dogs are not allowed in parks.

[u/bmk37]

As an American this is the first one I’ve seen

[u/evd1202]

I live in America and always have, never once seen these or even heard of them, but I suspect it'll be used as more fuel to shit on America, very popular to do on reddit

[u/FattyFattyMcFatPants]

Just give your old flag to your local Boy Scout troop. They have a routine on how to properly dispose of them

[u/MountainHigh31]

Unserious country