State Representatives Mitch Bolinsky and Martin Foncello, in cooperation with Newtown BSA Troop 270 and VFW Post 308, invite readers to retire their worn American flags ahead of Flag Day.

Flags will be respectfully folded and stored for their formal, dignified retirement, on or after Flag Day.

Bolinsky and Foncello have made the flag collection an annual tradition to commemorate Flag Day, which was officially proclaimed as June 14 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.” 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 US Flag Code, plus a morning event, when flags can be delivered to the state representatives.

The following locations will be available through June 13 in Newtown: C.H. Booth Library Circulation Desk, 25 Main Street; Edmond Town Hall lobby, 45 Main Street; Newtown Community Center main lobby, 8 Simpson Street; and just inside the southern entrance of Newtown Municipal Center, 3 Primrose Street.

Additionally, a collection location is available in the lobby of The Brookfield Library, 182 Whisconier Road, Brookfield.

The Newtown lawmakers will host a final drive-up flag donation event for worn and tattered flags at C.H. Booth Library on Saturday, June 13, between 10 am and noon.

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

For additional information call 800-842-1423.