It may be time to check your flag by Dave Tanguay

Winter is typically hard on flags. For those who fly their U.S. Flag year round - 24/7, it may be time to check the condition of your flag. If it is more than a year old, faded, frayed, ripped or generally beyond its life expectancy - it is suggested you retire/replace your flag.  

Another consideration, with Memorial Day fast approaching: It might be time to check out your seasonal flags for some of the same condition issues as noted above.  

Flags that have come to the end of their natural life may be turned in at a couple of locations in Windham. One drop-off location is at: The Windham Veterans Center, 35 Veterans Memorial Drive in North Windham. They are located behind Hannaford’s and they are open for drop-offs every Wednesday from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.  A veteran will receive your flag and insure that it is properly retired.   

A second a location for flag drops-off is at: Maine Flag and Banner, 824 Roosevelt Trail, Windham.

For those interested in purchasing a new flag, Maine Flag and Banner has been providing a small financial incentive to drop-off and then purchase a new flag. 

The Field-Allen Post Legion Americanism Officer will collect all the aged flags and conduct a retirement ceremony approximately four times each year.  For additional information contact: Dave Tanguay, Post Adjutant, at 207- 892-1306.