Williamson County, TN Flag Retirement Program

How to Retire Your Worn or Faded "Old Glory" in Williamson County



The American Creed states, "We retire flags with dignity and respect when they become worn, torn, faded, or badly soiled."


Williamson Recycles and Keep Williamson Beautiful encourage the community to retire worn, torn or tattered flags with respect and dignity with one of the following drop-off options.

All flags will be ceremoniously disposed of year-round by either area Boy Scout Troops or by the American Legion Post 215.


 Year-round Flag Drop-off Locations:

Williamson County Material Recovery Facility
420 Century Court, Franklin, TN 37064
Please bring flags to the Buy Back Center.
M-F 8:30 AM - 3 PM

Landfill Convenience Center
5750 Pinewood Road, Franklin, TN 37064
Please see attendant during operating hours.
M-F 7 AM- 5 PM / Saturday and Sunday 7 AM - 6 PM

Williamson County Archives & Museum
611 West Main St Franklin TN, 37064
American Legion Post 215 Drop Box 24/7

Franklin City Hall
109 3rd Ave. South (at the 3rd Ave. entrance)
 
Franklin Fire Station 2
907 Murfreesboro Rd. (on the Vanderbilt Walk-in Clinic side of the building)



Partnerships
Franklin, TN Boy Scout Troop 137 under the leadership of late Scoutmaster John Green provided flag retirement ceremonies for over three decades. Williamson Recycles and Keep Williamson Beautiful in partnership with local boy scout troops provide continued opportunities for flag retirement.

Williamson Recycles / Keep Williamson Beautiful is proud to partner with Eagle Scout Gideon Morris and the America Legion Post 215 for an additional drop-off location. As of July 2015, Local Eagle Scout Gideon Morris installed a drop box at the Archives building located at 611 West Main Street as a part of his Eagle Scout Project. The American Legion Post 215 will take care of the proper disposal of the flags year-round. 

Eagle Scout Case White who serves as the office manager of the Williamson County Recycling Facility manages the flag retirement program for Williamson County. 

   Why Retire Flags?
Veterans Day is formally celebrated on November 11th. The ongoing Troop 137, Post 215, and Williamson Recycles flag collection reminds us that "the United States flag should be treated with respect when it's flying, and it should be treated with respect when it's being retired".

This statement from the Troop 137 Flag Retirement Ceremony includes the introduction:
"I am your flag, I was born on June 14, 1777. I am more than just a piece of cloth shaped into a colorful design; I am the silent sentinel of freedom for the greatest sovereign nation on earth. I am the inspiration for which America patriots gave their lives and fortunes; I am the emblem of America."
The Veterans Day National Committee explains that Veterans Day is largely intended to thank and honor all of those who served honorably in the military, in wartime or peacetime. Veterans Day is a day to thank living Veterans for their service, to acknowledge that their contributions to our national security are appreciated, and to underscore the fact that all those who served, not only those who died, have sacrificed and done their duty.

We can respect the U.S. flag by displaying it every day, but especially on national and state holidays. As we prepare to celebrate Veterans Day this year, we can honor those who served and are today serving their country by flying "Old Glory" full staff. We also have a reminder that it is appropriate flag etiquette to retire worn, torn, and faded U.S flags.
 
 For more information, please call Case White with the Williamson County Recycling Center at (615) 790-8501.