As a Girl Scout for most of my childhood years, there were certain rules, regulations and etiquette I learned about the American flag. For instance, it should never touch the ground. And, when it tears or is worn out, you should properly dispose of it.
Having recently flown our flag for Memorial Day and discovering that our flag was past its prime, I knew we needed a new flag and a way to respectfully get rid of the old one. So I did some digging and came up with these American flag disposal options in Southern Maine. You may find this information helpful, too, especially as I’m originally publishing this information just before Flag Day on June 14.
Who can properly dispose of an American flag
Turns out not just anyone has the right to collect and properly dispose of the American flag. According to the US Department of Defense, “Many state and county government offices and Veterans of Foreign Wars posts have flag disposal boxes outside of their buildings. Police stations also collect them. Once the disposal boxes are full, various organizations such as American Legions, VFWs and the Girl Scouts and Boy Scouts collect the flags and hold flag retirement ceremonies.”
When we used to live in New Jersey, I remember there being a collection box for worn-out flags outside of our town hall. Since moving to Kennebunk, I haven’t seen one of these community disposal boxes but, then again, I haven’t had a reason to look for one. For instance, after getting free flags from Ace Hardware, I have never had a reason to dispose of them. I just reuse them each year to decorate my home on patriotic holidays.
Where to go for an American flag disposal
That being said, it turns out that, in Southern Maine, your best best for disposing of an American flag is contacting one of these service organizations or public entities, which are most likely to have a flag retirement box for self service disposal or can collect Old Glory from you:
- American Legion posts
- Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) posts
- Police Departments
- Town Hall or Public Works
Here’s what I found for options in York and Cumberland counties. Whenever possible, I’ve provided a link for more information.
American Legion Posts
In reading meeting notes from past selectboard meetings, I did find mention that residents can bring torn and tattered flags to the American Legion in Kennebunkport. That is American Legion Post 159 at 102 Maine Street in Kennebunkport. However, it’s not clear if they have a box or if you have to arrange to meet with a member to deliver the flag.
Also, I found a mention that each Flag Day, the American Legion in Windham (Post 148) has a flag retirement ceremony with a local Boy Scouts troop. You can read more about that on the American Legion Windham website. Post 148 is located at 35 Veterans Memorial Drive in Windham.
A 2022 article in the Portland Press Herald said that the Brunswick Police Department was accepting flags on behalf of the Brunswick American Legion Post #20. When I checked the Brunswick American Legion Facebook page, there were multiple mentions of annual flag collections, including flag collection boxes that are set up from time to time at businesses around Brunswick.
If none of these aforementioned options work for you, here is a link to find an American Legion post near you. Hopefully, they can help you dispose of a worn-out American flag properly.
Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW)
There are a number of VFW posts in Southern Maine. The largest is VFW 6859 Portland, Maine. On the VFW Portland website, it says that they do offer flag retirement and disposal. And their Facebook page includes lots of pictures of flag retirement ceremonies. So I would definitely reach out to this post for help with flag disposal.
If you would like to try to find a VFW post closer to you that might be able to help properly retire an old American flag, here is a link to locating VFW posts.
Police Departments
While I could not find an official policy about accepting American flags, I’ve learned, anecdotally, that your local police department will take an old American flag from you and ensure it is retired and disposed of properly. So, if in doubt, call the non-emergency phone number for the police to confirm when or if you could drop off a flag.
Town Hall or Public Works
My research showed that towns outside Southern Maine have programs in place to collect old American flags, including West Gardiner, Clinton and Pittston, all in Kennebec County. In York County, specifically the Town of Eliot, “The worn flag drop box is now at the Eliot Transfer Station and Recycle Center,” according to the Eliot Public Works website. And I’ve heard, anecdotally, that there is a collection box at Kittery Town Hall.
Final thoughts
There is a company in Gorham that makes American flags. They also accept worn-out American flags that they will arrange to have properly disposed of. If you live nearby, you can drop off your flag at the Gorham Flag Center at 376 Main Street in Gorham.
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