Bullard Scout installs flag retirement box at fire department

Apr. 24—Hunter Hassell, a scout member since the age of six, is installing a flag retirement box for his Eagle Scout project at the Jacksonville Fire Station.

Hunter chose the fire station, located at 215 S. Houston St., as the best site for the box due to its visibility and easy access.

A junior at Bullard High School, Hassell is a Life Scout completing his final requirement before applying to become an Eagle Scout.

Hassle has raised the flag as a Cub Scout at the Bullard High School football games and at flag retirement ceremonies as a Boy Scout, according to his mom Brandi Hassell. Brandi said her son felt as if not many in the community have witnessed a flag retirement ceremony or know there is a proper way to retire flags.

"The flag represents a living country and is itself considered a living thing," states the United States Flag Code.

The code calls for respect for the U.S. flag, even in its disposal.

"The flag, when it is in such condition that it is no longer a fitting emblem for display, should be destroyed in a dignified way, preferably by burning," states the code.

Fire Chief Peter Riley announced a formal installment ceremony of the flag retirement box is set for 7 p.m. Tuesday, May 7.