Eagle Scout builds flag retirement box for Wallace

WALLACE — Folks in the Wallace area have a new way to properly dispose of American flags, thanks to local Eagle Scout Jase Blanchard.

Jase, who’s been part of Troop 35 for 12 years and lives in Rose Hill, said he built the box for his Eagle Scout project because he saw a need in the community.

“The US flag can only be disposed of by burning,” he explained. “The VFW does that for free at the American Legion in Wallace, but if the building isn’t open, a lot of people would just leave flags on the front bench or outside the door, so I thought a box would be a better, more convenient way.”

Throughout his scouting career, Jase said he’s taken part in a lot of flag retirement ceremonies, so he immediately thought of doing the box when it came time for his Eagle Scout project.

When his mother, Shannon Barber, was on vacation, she happened to see a flag retirement box, and thus, the idea was born.

There’s no right or wrong way to build a flag retirement box, Jase said. “It could be a wooden chest or something like that, but I wanted something that looked cool.”

He and his father, Chris Blanchard, drew up the plans together and the younger scouts constructed it, with Jase’s guidance. Gotcha Signs from the Northeast community provided the graphics that grace the box.

“Throughout scouts as a whole, they teach you how to live your life,” Jase said. “It’s more than just camping in the woods.”

“I think it’s pretty amazing,” Chris Blanchard said of his son’s project. “I’m really proud of him.”

The Blanchards also pointed out that it’s difficult for teenagers to stay in the Boy Scouts past the age of 16, so a very low percentage actually complete Eagle Scout projects and earn the rank. In fact, only 6% of Boy Scouts earn their Eagle Scout badge.

“It’s a very small amount,” Chris said, “so this is all a pretty big deal.”

Since Jase completed his project in July, he said the feedback has been nothing but positive.

“There’s been a ton of flags that have been left here in the box,” Chris said. “We’ve had people tell us they never knew what to do with their old, damaged flags until they saw the box.”

The box is located just outside the entrance of the American Legion in Wallace, and flags can be dropped off inside the box at any time, day or night.