Streator Eagle Scout constructs retired American flag drop box for City Hall

When the Streator VFW closed, Harley Hampton saw a need in the city for a location to dispose retired American flags.

The Streator High School fall graduate constructed a steel dispenser he welded from scratch for his Eagle Scout project, placing it Wednesday afternoon on the south side of City Hall with the City Council’s approval.

Now residents will be able to drop off their American flags at the 204 S. Bloomington St. location without having to get out of their vehicles.

“It’s something I’m proud of,” said Hampton, of Boy Scout Troop 775 of Streator.

To see his Eagle Scout project to fruition, 18-year-old Hampton had to work with a condensed timeline. He leaves March 8 to join the U.S. Marines.

The idea started in August, but it required working with the city engineer to find a location at City Hall and get the council’s go-ahead.

After graduating high school in December, he acquired the materials through donations from U.S. Silica, Vactor Manufacturing, Cyclops Welding and Ace Hardware. Because of the pandemic, he couldn’t conduct any fundraisers, meaning he had to rely on the donors.

Using his welding experience, he and six other Boy Scouts welded, sanded and ground all the pieces to put together the dispenser, which resembles a mailbox at the post office. Hampton painted the dispenser red, white and blue and placed 13 stars across it to represent the original colonies.

The team also mixed and poured the concrete. The below-zero temperatures stalled the project for at least a week, he said.

Hampton said he’s been a Scout “for most of my life,” and he enjoys the activities, camping and acquiring merit badges. Being an Eagle Scout also allows Hampton to enlist in the Marines two ranks higher.

The city of Streator has another retired American flag dispenser at the Streator Fire Department, 108 N. Wasson St., but Hampton’s dispenser will provide a more prominent location to dispose of retired flags. Hampton said a member of the American Legion collects them periodically to properly dispose of them in a burning ceremony.

According to the United States Flag Code, Title 4, Section 8k, ”The flag, when it is in such condition that it is no longer a fitting emblem of display, should be destroyed in a dignified way, preferably by burning.”

When should you dispose of your American flag?

The determination of when to retire an American flag is up to its owner.

Flags can be cleaned, but they should be hung to dry or laid flat, according to flagsusa.com.

The website advises, if possible, to mend a tattered flag at early signs of wear. The edge furthest from the staff, known as the “fly” end is usually the first part of the flag to show wear. The fly end may start to unravel from weather conditions.

“If the flag is unable to be repaired or is too tattered then the flag should be retired,” the website said.