Newtown Legislators Sponsor Retired Flag Collection

Newtown Legislators Sponsor Retired Flag Collection

NEWTOWN- State Representatives Mitch Bolinsky and Martin Foncello, in cooperation with the Scouts of Newtown’s Troop 270, and VFW Post 308 are encouraging Newtown residents to retire their worn American flags as we approach Flag Day 2026.  Flags will be respectfully folded and stored for their formal, dignified retirement, on or after Flag Day.  

The House Republicans have made the flag collection an annual tradition to commemorate Flag Day, which was officially proclaimed as June 14th in 1919 by President Woodrow Wilson, marking the anniversary of the Second Continental Congress passing a resolution stating that “the flag of the United States be 13 stripes, alternate red and white,” and that “the union be 13 stars, white in a blue field, representing a new constellation”. Oddly, it took Congress until 1949 to formally approve Flag Day as a day of national observance before it was signed into law by President Harry S. Truman.  

The Newtown legislators have provided five locations that residents can drop off their worn American flags for proper ceremonial disposal according to the U.S. Flag Code, plus an additional day to drop flags off to the State Representatives.  Drop-off locations will receive flags from May 1st - June 13th.

The drop-off locations are:

• Edmond Town Hall, Lobby, 45 Main Street, Newtown
• CH Booth Library, Circulation desk, 25 Main Street, Newtown
• Newtown Community Center, Main lobby, 8 Simpson Street, Newtown
• Newtown Municipal Center, Selectman's entrance, 3 Primrose Street, Newtown
• Brookfield Library, Lobby, 182 Whisconier Road, Brookfield

Additionally, the Newtown lawmakers will host a final drive-up flag donation event for your worn and tattered flags at the at C.H. Booth Library, Saturday, June 13th from 10:00am-12:00PM. 

The U.S. Flag Code specifies that old American flags no longer in service must be properly disposed. The collected flags will be given to the VFW Post 308 for proper retirement during a ceremony on or after June 14.

For additional information please call (800) 842-1423.