Cherlyn Conway
The quote at the Statue of Liberty, “Give me your tired, your poor, your huddled masses yearning to breathe free,” is somewhat relevant to bring your tired, your tattered, your huddled masses of frayed and tattered flags to 11905 Willet Way.
With the new residents to the Ranch, some might have accumulated frayed flags and do not know how to dispose of them. An article was published a while ago to let the ranch community know about the drop box at our home for flags that need to be retired. With many recent Robson flag days and all the windy days we encountered the past several months, it is a good time to remind the residents of the drop box and that a tattered or frayed flag should be retired and not flown. As well, if you fly your flag at night, there should be a light shining on it.
As a family that has flown a flag at any place we have lived and active Robson Ranch Support Our Troops (SOT) members, the tattered and worn-out flags can start to accumulate and need to be respectfully retired.
Robson Ranch resident Bob Conway is a lifetime member of VFW Denton Post 2205. He has volunteered to take any retired flag to the Post for proper disposal. The VFW partners with the Scouts, which includes a simple ceremony.
“When the national flag is worn beyond repair, burn it thoroughly and completely on a modest, but blazing fire. This should be done in a simple manner with dignity and respect. Be sure the flag is reduced to ashes unrecognizable as a former flag.”
On the porch at 11905 Willet Way, you will find a red, white, and blue box, and we invited all Robson Ranch residents to bring their tired, tattered flags (U.S. or state flags) any time—no need to notify or advise you are dropping off.
You could also bring flags to any Support Our Troops meeting, which is on the second Monday of each month at 1 p.m., in the clubhouse.
Did you know you do not need to be a veteran to join SOT or attend meetings? Any active military or active reserve military in your family? The SOT would love to add them to the roster in support of their service and commitment to our great country. For more information and forms on how to request support, go to the RR HOA website, Member Center tab/Clubs/Support Our Troops. You can also find more information on SOT at www.supportourtroopstexas.com and how to order a flag for your front yard or get a replacement flag.
No Wanted poster here, just a patriotic box at 11905 Willet Way, and your reward is knowing your flags honoring our great country will be retired with respect and dignity. Thank you to those who have made a stop at the box. Since we started this project, we have retired about 150 flags to their final resting place.