US flag retirement drop box by Eagle Scout Jake DeStefano has community-wide impact
Simpsonville, S.C. — The U.S. Flag Retirement Drop Box installed by Eagle Scout Jake DeStefano at Veterans Corner has collected more than 1,000 flags in only a year.
DeStefano confirmed to Mayor Paul Shewmaker that a total of 1,019 US flags have been collected by the drop box as of April 1.
“It has been a great success,” DeStefano said. “Troop 776 has been grateful to be part of the service project and helping the community out.”
To complete his Eagle Scout project, DeStefano partnered with the Simpsonville Parks & Recreation Department to scout out a location and work out the logistics for the drop box, which found a home at Veterans Corner near Richardson Street between South East Main and South Main streets. The purpose of the box is for members of the public to drop off any US flag in any condition so that it can be properly retired and disposed of according to the U.S. Flag Code.
Shewmaker said the City of Simpsonville is honored to host such a successful project on its grounds.
“As a former Scout leader, I believe Mr. DeStefano’s project is one of the most impactful Eagle Scout projects I’ve ever seen,” Shewmaker said. “He has touched the lives of hundreds of people who used the drop box to be sure their old US flag was treated with respect.”
Mr. DeStefano was able to secure a portion of funding for the project with former Greenville County Councilman Butch Kirven.
