I'm going to talk to our Post Commander and see if we can start shipping the used flags we receive. And just a heads up, the American Legion has a drop box in front of the Post for used flags. It's an old mailbox, painted red, white and blue, right next to the flag poles. Post 615 is located at 17423 S. 67th Court.

Woohoo! The village is going to put flyer on the counter at village hall and inform the Veterans Commission about the program. They will gladly take your old flag at village hall. And, they're going to post the details about the program on the village web site. I don't think there's a community in this country that supports our troops more than Tinley Park does! And thank you Patch for posting this. You are by far the best print media source around!

Deb, this is awesome! I would like to share a tradition that started in 1952 when my parents moved us into Parkside, My Father, Jack Murphy, was in the Navy for 12 years - 4 years active in WWII - 8 year reserve. I think that the first thing my Father did was 'make' a 24 foot tall flag poll. They didn't make ornate poles back then. But he made it awesome! We had a flag flying 24/7 - lighted - until I had to sell the family home in early 2001 after my parents had passed. About 10 years before my Mom passed away, she wanted to pass on this tradition to me, so she bought a beatuiful 24 ft pole and flag & it is up 24/7 - lite all night. The VFW bestowed a flag to my Mom that was flown over the White House a few years before she passed away, which I have kept. Dad was active in the VFW and we also have several paver blocks at the post. My Dad was such a patriotic Veteran! So between our 2 homes, American flags have flown with HONOR for almost 60 years! Proud to be an American! PROUD!

Patty, thank you to you and your family. We too have a 24' flag pole that is proudly displayed and lit 24/7. We're about due for a new flag as the one currently flying is starting to fade. Guess what we're doing with the old one?

Got ya Deb! I don't buy cheap flags. Mine cost me about $50 to as much as $65.00. My husband and I decided to go from a 3X5 to a 4X6 this early summer. (The blizzard was really tough even on the good ones). And I was so glad to find out a few years ago about the drop box at post 615 in Tinley Park.
People ~ it will be 10 years, Sunday, September 11 of 911. PLEASE - PLEASE EVERYONE SHOW PRIDE IN YOUR COLORS, FLY YOUR FLAG, BE A PROUD AMERICAN for all of the people that died on that unbelievable day and their families and all of the people in the the U.S.A. BE PROUD AND FLY THE FLAG of OUR COUNTRY!

Patty, you can save a ton of money AND help our veterans. Order your flags from the American Legion store. All flags are made here in the USA, high quality and the proceeds go to Legion programs for the vets. We also fly a 4'x6' flag. We use the cotton as it's the heaviest and best for year round use and the best fade resistant. The Legion store sells them for $24.95. A 4'x6' nylon flag is less than $20.00 The following link will take you to their website.
http://emblem.legion.org/American-Flags/departments/756/

Patty, I made a boo boo. We use the polyester, not cotton. Per the item description:
Polyester flags are engineered for industrial, commercial or institutional use. First choice where high winds or extreme weather conditions exist.
Our toughest, strongest, longest-lasting flag
Durable and resists stretching
Embroidered stars
Sewn stripes with double-stitched seams
Outside edges have 4 rows of lock stitching to resist tearing
Heavy canvas headings with full-sized brass grommets
100% made in the U.S.A.

Patty, I forgot to mention that when you purchase a flag from the Legion store, you can select the post of your choice to receive a portion of the proceeds. Whether the post here in town, or if your Dad belonged to another, all you need is the post number and state.

Deb, thanks for all of that info about flags and I was not aware I could buy them from the post or from that web site. I am going to print this off so I can do this next time I need to buy. I also neglected to memtion that we donate the same flag each year to the Illiana Yacht Club (IYC) in Hammond where my husband is the commador. It is a strickly sailing club. My husband teaches kids how to sail every Saturday morning. Thanks Deb ;-)

I am mailing my flag out today. Would be glad to inform local VFWs and our church of this wonderful service also! Thank you!!! We revere our American Flags the same as we do our Bibles - I could NEVER throw one out regardless how tattered/old it is. So wonderful that the embroidered stars can be repurposed. What a wonderful endeavor, I'm so happy to help! Leanne Evans