Independence Day is less than a week away. Â If your American flag has seen better days, The American Legion is once again teaming up with Scheels to make sure you can fly the stars and stripes with pride this 4th of July. There's a flag exchange booth set up on the main floor of the store.
"Scheels has been doing this for some time," said Brian Johnson, Vice Commander of American Legion Post 1."They donate all the flags to the Post to give out to the public. So if you bring a tattered flag, a dirty flag, we will give you a new flag for free and retire your flag at the appropriate time."
The flags are all made in America. And these veterans hope those flying them take a moment to think about what Old Glory really stands for.
"When I look at the flag, I think of the men and women that sacrificed their lives to defend that flag so we have the freedoms that we have today," said Jeff Gundersen, Past Commander of American Legion Post 1. Â
The old flags will be retired in a special ceremony.
"We sponsor a Boy Scout Troop in Reno and we work with the Northern Nevada Veterans Coalition out in Fernley," Gundersen said. "The flags are taken out there and the Boy Scouts assist in the proper disposal of them in a specially-made burn pit that is designed to retire flags."
Those ashes are then buried. You can exchange your flag at the American Legion booth at Scheels right up through the 4th of July. Â And, thank those that helped defend it.
"Those of us that served have a bond that, unless you served, you don't understand," Gundersen said. "It's a wonderful thing to share with other people that served. And the people that come in, they appreciate it, they thank us for our service and they're just happy to talk with us."
Flag Exchange times: Â June 26th through June 30th: Â 3 p.m to 6 p.m.
                   July 1st through July 4th:  11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
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