Arizona-based nonprofit Honoring America’s Veterans is helping people dispose of their old American flags. It’s part of their Tattered Flag Project.
According to the organization, various Spencer’s TV and Appliance locations across the Valley function as collection sites for the banners. Internal collections also take place at other businesses like the University of Phoenix campus and APS.
The U.S. Flag Code states a flag not fit for display “should be destroyed in a dignified way.”
Paula Pedene is the executive director at Honoring America’s Veterans.
“What we decided to do was go ahead and collect tattered, worn or torn flags because many of the groups that used to retire those flags are no longer doing so,” she said.
Pedene says veterans perform their duties under the banner.
“We know what it’s like to serve under the flag. We know the sacrifices that people make when they’re far away from home, serving our country overseas, abroad, during [the] Gulf War, during the Cold War, during Vietnam,” she said.
Pedene says a dignified burning and burial event will take place in Glendale in October at Arizona Christian University.
