Affectionately referred to as Old Glory, the Red, White and Blue or the Stars and Stripes, the American flag is one of the most recognized and honored symbols of the United States of America.

Displayed in front of homes, businesses and a multitude of other places, the American flag symbolizes the United States’ ideals of democracy and values of liberty and justice for all.

However, flags eventually become worn out and people often ask how to respectfully retire and dispose of them, said James Kale, former commander of the Keith Lowry-Henry Ellyson Post No. 5 of the American Legion.

That process recently became a lot easier.

A drop box for worn flags has been set up outside the door of Post No. 5 headquarters at 117 W. Miles Ave. (formerly the police station), Kale said.

“Anyone who wishes to properly retire and dispose of worn United States flags may just put them in the drop box and when we have sufficient flags collected, they will be properly disposed of in accordance with U.S. Flag disposal protocol,” he added.

The drop box is highly visible with its patriotic red, white and blue coloring and “U.S. Flags” lettering on the side and easily accessible for anyone wanting to dispose of their old flags.

Coordinating with the fire department and the local Boy Scouts troop, Post members ceremonially burn and dispose of the worn flags once they receive a sufficient amount, Kale said.

The Legion saw there was a need and you never want to just throw a U.S. flag in the garbage, Kale added.

In the early days, people often privately burned their worn out flags based on U.S. Flag code etiquette, but many people don’t have the ability to do that anymore, Kale said.

Confirming that need, Kale said the Post receives approximately 100 flags for retirement every three to four months.

“It’s something that you do out of respect for your country and we wanted to make something available and convenient for people to properly dispose of their worn out flags,” Kale said.