As a public service, VFW Post 845 accepts torn and tattered American flags for respectful disposal. Federal law, the US Flag Code, dictates that the only proper ways to dispose of American flags is to burn them or bury them. They should not be discarded in the trash!

For many years flags were deposited in a converted US mail deposit box which was showing signs of wear. That collection box was replaced in February 2023 by a new box created as an Eagle Scout project by Nathan Reynolds. That attractive box served the post well, but the wooden frame was not holding up to constant use and needed to be augmented or replaced by a sturdier receptacle. A decision was made to refurbish the original metal box.

The Post enlisted the aid of the Brandywine campus of Chester County’s Intermediate Unit Technical College High School on Boot Road, Downingtown. The school has an auto body repair section headed by instructor James Caswell who agreed to take on the project of stripping the old paint, doing any necessary metal repairs, and applying a new coat of paint. Caswell discovered that there were seven coats of extremely durable paint that took his students many hours of labor to remove. Only heat and sand blasting eventually got the box down to bare metal.

Caswell asked the post what colors should be applied to the box. That answer depended on the final design and the capabilities of the school’s body shop and graphic arts department. 

Graphic Arts instructor Troy Campbell became involved and challenged his students to propose a design. Class of 2024 senior Catherine Martin, a new enlistee in the US Marine Corps, demonstrated her patriotism and creativity by collaborating with Campbell to arrive at the final design using the exact colors of the American flag. White stars and stripes and letters were created by a commercial sign company and applied to the painted box. Denron Sign Company, Thorndale, produced the vinyl adhesive graphics and donated them to the school where they were applied.

Each year Downingtown area residents and businesses deposit several thousand flags.  Flags deposited in the retirement box range from very large flags to the very small. Several large trash bags of flags are collected every month, the largest volume coming in May, around Memorial Day.

Thanks to the patriotism and volunteer efforts of several Downingtown area citizens, American flags will be retired with dignity for many more years to come at VFW Post 845.