How to Respectfully Retire Your American Flag
Key Take-Aways
- Retire worn American flags respectfully. A faded or damaged U.S. flag should never be thrown in the trash but disposed of in a dignified manner, preferably by burning, in accordance with U.S. Flag Code.
- Several local organizations will properly retire your flag. Residents can drop off worn flags at the Estero Post Office, local VFW and American Legion posts, Sunshine Ace Hardware stores, or through Estero's Boy Scout Troop 30.
- Showing respect for the flag goes beyond displaying it. Proper retirement honors the flag's role as a symbol of American freedom, patriotism, and the nation's 250-year history.
Published July 9, 2026 by Engage Estero
Written by
Mark Novitski
Consultant to Engage Estero
East Corkscrew Alliance Chair
Every June 14th, we celebrate Flag Day! Many, especially Veterans, fly the American Flag daily, not just on holidays or special occasions. July 4th, 2026, marked 250 years since the Declaration of Independence was signed and our country was founded.
The American Flag is a proud symbol of patriotism and love for our great country. Flying it at your home or office is an excellent way to showcase the American spirit. However, over time, even the most durable flags fade and become tattered from weather and wind. When this happens, you can't simply throw your old flag away; you must dispose of it respectfully.
In 1960, the current version of the flag showed fifty stars following Hawaii’s admission. Since independence, the national flag has been revised twenty-seven times.
When retiring your American flag, you want to avoid disrespect. The best option is to follow proper U.S. Flag Code etiquette or find a qualified organization that can dispose of the flag properly.
The U.S. Flag Code is not legally enforceable, but adherence to it is considered a sign of patriotism and respect. The code formalizes and unifies the traditional ways we show respect for the U.S. flag and provides specific instructions on how the flag is not to be used.
United States Code Title 4, Chapter 1, Section 8(k), The Flag, when it is in such condition that it is no longer a fitting emblem for display, should be destroyed in a dignified manner, preferably by burning. If you can’t respectfully burn your flag, you can take retired or tattered US flags to:
Please respect our flag and appropriately retire it.
USPS Estero Post Office located at 10951 Corkscrew Rd, Estero, FL 33928. They accept worn American flags for proper disposal during regular business hours.
Veterans Organizations: You can also drop off unserviceable flags at your local VFW Post 4254 or the American Legion Post 303 in neighboring Bonita Springs. They respectfully dispose of flags in official ceremonies.
Sunshine Ace Hardware stores across Southwest Florida continue to collect and dispose of retired American flags through partnerships with local veterans’ organizations and youth groups. Each store has a marked bin for worn or faded American flags. The locations below collect flags during regular business hours.
Lee County Sunshine Ace Hardware Locations:
- Bonita Springs – 9100 Bonita Beach Road; Bonita Springs, FL 34135
- San Carlos – 18911 Tamiami Trail South; Fort Myers, FL 33908
Local Boy Scout (Scouting America) - Troop 30 meets on Mondays at the Estero Church (8088 Lords Way St., Estero, FL 33928) on Broadway Ave. East and US-41 in Estero, Florida, from 7 pm to 8:30 pm (during the school year).
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