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VFW Post No. 3916 now has a flag retirement box where tattered flags can be deposited for proper disposal. VFW members shown are, Brian Cooper, Don “Pappy” Papin, Freddie Allen, Richard Pauly and Jack Accountius. Matt Swearengin | Durant Democrat
Several organizations worked together to place a flag retirement box at VFW Post 3916 located at 123 S. Second Ave. in downtown Durant.
“That box was donated to the city by WoodmenLife to provide a place for people to deposit their torn and tattered U.S. flags that are ready for proper retirement,” said Pat Metheny, WoodmenLife secretary. “WoodmenLife holds a flag retirement ceremony each year whereby we properly dispose of such flags in a dignified manner in a very moving, patriotic ceremony.”
She said WoodmenLife commissioned Texoma Mfg. to design and construct the box. VFW agreed to having it installed on their property and Gordon Funeral Home made the slab plus supplied the plaque at the base of the box. .
Don “Pappy” Papin, service officer for VFW, said this was a project with the Durant Area Chamber of Commerce, WoodmenLife and Gordon Funeral Home.
“It’s taken almost a year to come to fruition, so we finally got it done and we got it out here and it’s been fantastic,” Papin said. “We’ve already filled it up twice. It’s really good. It’s a place to drop the flags because you cannot just take the flags and throw them away. They have to be disposed of properly and that’s what we do.”
Papin said there is a man who picks up the flags and removes the stars for use on plaques and other things given to veterans. The remainder of the flags are burned in a proper ceremony.
There is also a flag drop box inside VFW that was constructed by a Boy Scout as part of an Eagle Scout project. The new one is outside next to the building so people can use it at any time.
Metheny thanked all involved in the project including VFW for allowing the box on their property.
“We felt like a partnership with them would be a good thing since we are both very patriotic groups,” she said.