ORANGE — The American flag is often wrapped in controversy and questions. Is it OK to kneel during the national anthem? Should politicians always wear one as a lapel pin? But those aren’t the only inquiries people have raised about Old Glory.

Some are not clear on the proper way to dispose of a worn-out flag. People in the Orange area can now drop flags into converted mailboxes near the maintenance building at South Cemetery or at American Legion Post 172 on Daniel Shays Highway, thanks to 18-year-old Matthew Regnier, who installed the units as part of his service project to reach the rank of Eagle Scout.

“I thought that was important, that it was a good opportunity,” he said. “I’ve always had respect for the American flag. There’s a flag pole in the front of my house and it always has the American flag on it.”

Regnier, a member of Orange Boy Scout Troop 40, was brainstorming ideas for his Eagle Scout project nine or 10 months ago when Scoutmaster Mark Cole told him members of American Legion Post 172 mentioned the need for drop-off boxes so flags can be disposed of with dignity.

“He latched on to (the idea) and things went from there,” Cole recalled. The two met when Regnier joined the Boy Scouts at age 11.

Regnier said he found one mailbox and was trying to find another when his father, Walter, bought one from the 1950s for about $180. Regnier then had pieces welded at Wrights Welding in Athol and brought it to TC Painting Corp. to be sandblasted. Cole, a graphic designer by profession and the owner of 37 Design Group Inc. in Orange, then crafted designs for each mailbox.

“I can never thank him enough for it,” said Regnier, a Wendell resident and senior at Franklin County Technical School in Turners Falls. He was sponsored by St. Mary’s Church in Orange. Rocky’s Ace Hardware and Lyman Signs also helped Regnier with his project.

He primed and painted the mailboxes, battleship gray and then harbor blue for the final color. He said moving the mailboxes without damaging them was likely the most challenging aspect of the project.

People can now place unusable flags in the drop-off boxes, where American Legion Post 172 members will collect them and complete the next step in the flags’ proper retirement. According to the U.S. Flag Code, flags no longer serviceable “should be destroyed in a dignified way, preferably by burning.”

Post 172 Commander Walter White said the American Legion is forever grateful for Regnier’s patriotic project. He explained members will collect the flags periodically. He said the American Legion burns tattered flags in a respectful ceremony once a year.

In 2019, 8 percent of Scouts (61,366) earned the Eagle Scout rank, joining more than 2.5 million of their brethren. To achieve this highest rank, Scouts like Regnier must earn 21 merit badges and meet other requirements, including the completion of a service project. They are then eligible to join the National Eagle Scout Association, though they are not required to.

Reach Domenic Poli at: dpoli@recorder.com or 413-772-0261, ext. 262.

]]>