BAINBRIDGE – Jared Barnhart decided he wanted to center his Eagle Scout project, the final step in attaining scouting’s highest rank, around Flag Day.
“My dad and I were throwing ideas around and we thought it would be really cool to do something for Flag Day,” said Barnhart. “It’s patriotic and helpful.”
Barnhart’s project is to collect worn and used flags for proper disposal. He’s put deposit boxes around the tri-town area of Afton, Bainbridge and Guilford on street corners and in front of businesses.
Over the period of a few weeks, Barnhart with the aid of fellow scouts and family members, constructed the boxes out of plywood and painted them red, white and blue to make them distinguishable around the three towns.
“I wanted to ensure it’d be really interactive with the community,” he explained. “On Flag Day, we’ll have a flag burning ceremony that will be open to the community.”
Flag Day is on June 14, and Barnhart said he will announce the location of the ceremony as that day approaches.
A flag-burning ceremony is the prescribed method for the disposal of used, damaged or retired flags by the National Flag Foundation of the United States.
The ceremony is centered around one flag which represents all flags being burned, should take place outdoors and should occur just before sunset, according to the guidelines.
“It’s a very special occasion,” said Barnhart.
Barnhart entered the scouting program when he was 10. Now, coming up on his 16 birthday in May, he looks back on his experiences fondly.
“My dad had been the scoutmaster of the Boy Scout troop when I was in Cub Scouts and some of the older scouts told me how much fun it was,” he said.
Although Barnhart said he’s gained a plethora of knowledge and numerous skills during his six years in the program, he said the most important thing he’s learned came into play during his Eagle project.
“Don’t procrastinate, keep a plan and be organized ... it’s not something that can be done last minute,” he said.