East Texas Business Holds ‘Flag Exchange’ Week

There does come a time when Old Glory has to be replaced with a new one.

Driving around Tyler from Memorial Day through July 4th and again Labor Day weekend, you'll see residence and businesses flying the red, white and blue out front showing their support and love of the United States Of America. The flag is a symbol of pride and as it proudly displays the stars and stripes day in and day out through all kinds of weather, it slowly fades, becomes frayed and unravels on the ends and eventually begins to disintegrate because of the elements. At this point, it is time to replace the flag with a new one.

With Flag Day coming up Sunday, June 14th, a lot of red, white and blue will be visible in both excellent and poor condition. If you have a flag that is in poor condition, it should be retired properly. Last year I had a worn out flag that I took to a local business who exchanged ti for a new one (which I declined because I had already purchased another one) and properly retired the flag that I turned in to them.

I was lucky, not only because of my name, because this business is located right behind the radio station. This is the fifth year that Cozad Insurance has hosted a flag exchange event. This years' event will run Monday, June 15th - Friday, July 19. All you need to do is drop off a worn, tattered flag at their location in Tyler or Lindale and in exchange you'll receive a new 3x5 flag. Since the programs inception in 2016 more than 485 flags have been retired by East Texas residents.

All worn flags will be retired in a respectful ceremony by the Lindale Boy Scouts this fall. The flag exchange is open to the public and not just clients of Cozad Insurance Agency. You can drop off flags at the following locations from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. the 15th - 19th.

• 619 Chase Dr. - Tyler
  3 blocks behind Chili's off of Brookside Dr. (behind the radio station)
• 1428 S. Main St. - Lindale