Republic Eagle Scout hopeful helps retire flags

Anyone with a tattered American flag that they would like to have honorably retired can place it in a new drop box installed at J.R. Martin Park, Republic, by Colton Quinn, an Eagle Scout candidate and member of Boy Scout Troop 174.
Colton, 14, got the idea to make the box for his Eagle Scout project when he looked around Republic and saw several American flags, but noted there were not many options for retiring them.
“I saw around town that there were a lot of flags in people’s yards … and that got me thinking about how some people yearly switch (flags),” he said.
Colton began doing research online about flag drop boxes. After he got approval for his project, he secured a sturdy metal box, which he then assembled and decorated with a wrap which he designed. On Saturday, May 11, he finished the project when he installed the box at the park. The entire process took six months.
The box has been well-received in Republic. As of press time, Colton reported that 146 flags have been left in the box.
Colton said his troop will retire the flags “on campouts and outings.” He said he also hopes to use the flags to teach Cub Scouts and other Boy Scouts how to retire American flags.
Angelica Mart, Colton’s mother, said he went to a lot of work to make and install the box.
“He had to have approval from the beneficiary, and then he had to have signatures with the district … making sure that it qualifies as an Eagle project,” she said. “Then he had to do research, and he had to ask for donations, and then put the (box) together and plan out the work day, and then complete the work day.”
Mart also said that at least one person has expressed their gratitude to Colton for the box.
“There was a nice person that left a note in there for him with their flags that said, ‘Thank you for this service,’” she said.
Colton said he is “pretty close” to attaining the rank of Eagle Scout.
“I’ve got a little bit of paperwork left … and I have a few signatures left and the board of review,” he said.
Eagle Scout or not, the new drop box has been a useful addition for local patriots.