Anyone driving past the First Baptist Church office building in Whitesboro may notice a new addition to the front lawn. Near the flagpole stands a bright red American flag retirement box, installed through the efforts of a local Eagle Scout candidate determined to leave a lasting gift to the community.
To earn the rank of Eagle Scout, a Scout must plan, develop and lead a service project that benefits the community. The project must receive approval from the benefiting organization, the Scoutmaster and the troop committee before work begins, while demonstrating the Scout’s leadership, organization and planning skills.
The idea for Whitesboro’s newest flag retirement box actually began two years ago, when Scout Committee Chair Joey Crawley approached First Baptist Church Pastor Mike Flanagan with a proposal. The plan was to create a place where community members could respectfully retire worn American and Texas flags.
For years, the church’s flagpole has stood outside the office building on Center Street alongside a memorial marker provided by Meador Funeral Home honoring those who have served or given their lives protecting America’s freedoms. Each Memorial Day and Veterans Day, following Sunday services, church members gather at the flagpole to pray and express gratitude for those sacrifices.
“We were excited about the opportunity to provide the space for the box,” Flanagan said. “The Eagle Scout would pour the pad, build the box and, at least for a while, maintain the retired flags. The church just said ‘yes.’ It’s a worthwhile effort.”
The original Scout planning to do the project eventually aged out of the program before it could be completed. Rather than let the idea disappear, 17-year-old Jackson Wade volunteered to take it on.
Jackson has been involved in Scouting since first grade, beginning with Tiger Cub Pack 1 before joining Troop 38 in 2019. As he worked toward his own Eagle Scout rank, his Scoutmaster—and father—Coley Wade reminded him that he, too, was nearing the age limit to complete an Eagle Scout project.
After receiving approval, Jackson led fellow Scouts in constructing the retirement box. He and his older brother, Kirby, who had previously aged out of the program, installed it at the church. Once completed, Jackson presented the finished project to an Eagle Scout board of review for final approval.
The new box is the second American flag retirement box built in Whitesboro by members of Troop 38. Several years ago, Scout Austin Ward completed one at First United Methodist Church of Whitesboro, located in the alcove near the south office entrance. Troop members continue to maintain that location as well.
“The flag retirement boxes are helpful because people feel better bringing their flags there than throwing them in the trash,” Coley Wade said. “It’s a community service we’re proud to provide and continue as the troop moves forward.”
The tradition of respectfully retiring American flags has a long history. In 1923, representatives from organizations including the American Legion, the Daughters of the American Revolution and the Boy Scouts of America met at the National Flag Conference in Washington, D.C., to establish a uniform Flag Code. The code states that “the flag represents a living country and is itself considered a living thing.”
In 1937, the American Legion formally adopted a resolution establishing flag retirement ceremonies, a tradition that has continued for generations.
The American flag retirement box at First Baptist Church is available for anyone in the community. Residents may place worn or tattered American and Texas flags in the box, where they will be collected and retired with the respect and dignity the flags deserve.
For more information about joining the Whitesboro Boy Scout program, contact Scoutmaster Coley Wade at 972-824-9666.
