CROTHERSVILLE
John Jones knew he someday wanted to reach the rank of Eagle Scout.
Beginning with Cub Scouts in second grade eight years ago, he learned about the Boy Scouts of America’s highest rank.
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Now 16 and a member of Boy Scout Troop 522 in Crothersville, Jones has achieved that.
The Seymour High School sophomore’s project involved placing a flag retirement box in Crothersville. He received permission from the Jackson County Public Library to put it outside the building along Armstrong Street or U.S. 31.
On July 1, library Director Julia Aker and Scoutmaster Steve Plasse signed paperwork to finalize Jones’ project.
“Whenever I got into the troop is whenever I really wanted to work for Eagle. I had known about it the entire time,” Jones said. “I’ve always been told that it looks good on a résumé.”
In the fall of 2019, Jones decided to make the box his project.
“We don’t have one, and I figured it would be a good thing to have one,” he said. “It would be easier than having to collect them from the VFW to burn them. That way, we can come straight over here, collect them and then get rid of them properly.”
According to the U.S. Flag Code, a flag ready for retirement may have rips or tears, holes, fading, discoloration or frayed edges. If the flag is large enough to fold, it should be folded and then placed on a flame so it burns quickly with none of the flag remaining afterwards.
The only people who can retire flags are Scouts, active military personnel and veterans organizations, such as Veterans of Foreign Wars, which has a post in Crothersville.
To use the box in Crothersville, a person just has to lift the lid on the top, place a flag on the panel inside and close the lid. The flag then drops into the bottom of the box, which is locked and only accessible by a person with the key.
Edward Byrd, Jones’ grandfather and a former Scout, said the unit’s quartermaster will check the box every two weeks.
Byrd said he’s proud of his grandson’s achievement. Along with developing a community service project, a Scout has to earn 21 merit badges and serve in a position of leadership to obtain the rank of Eagle Scout.
“I’m the happiest grandpa you ever saw,” Byrd said, smiling. “We’ve had people come up to us, ‘What do we do with our flags?’ They knew we retired flags, and the VFW was bringing Steve flags. It was something that the town needed, and the people in the town were asking for it.”
Once Jones had his Eagle proposal written, submitted and approved, he bought the materials. The box is plastic, waterproof and storm-resistant, and Jones painted a red, white and blue stars and stripes design on it to make it stand out. He also had a sign made to let people know the box’s purpose and who made it possible.
“It’s right in the middle of town, and a lot of people come through here, so it wouldn’t be out of most people’s way,” Jones said.
Aker was happy to allow Jones to place the box outside the library.
“Anything for the community, if we can help with it, that’s why we’re here,” she said. “It’s not just to check things out anymore. We’re here to help the community, and we do.”
Plasse said Jones is the first member of Troop 522 to reach Eagle Scout rank in awhile.
“He’s kind of the strong, silent type,” Plasse said. “The other boys look up to him. He’s steady. He’s going to be there. He’s not necessarily one to run out and boss other people around or be a leader in that way. It’s more from his quiet example.”
Brian and Kim Jones said Boy Scouts has benefited their son in several ways.
“He’s more of the quiet type, quiet leader. I know a lot of people do look up to him as far as kids his age, and he doesn’t let that get to his head. It has made him just a better person all around,” Kim said.
“It gives him more initiative and helps him out,” Brian said.
They appreciate the efforts their son put into his project.
“Very proud of him,” Brian said.
“I’m just so proud of him,” Kim said. “I couldn’t be happier.”