Founded as a nonprofit organization in May 2011 by Denise Etter, a Cranberry Township resident and wife of a U.S. Army veteran, the Retire Your Old Glory flag collection project recognizes the need for convenient public locations for residents to deposit their flags for retirement. Submitted Photo

When American flags become tattered, faded or torn, the U.S. Flag Code outlines that the flags be retired in a dignified and respectful manner — a process promoted by Cranberry Township’s “Retire Your Unserviceable Old Glory.”

Upward of 57,300 American flags have been collected as of May 31, 2025 via the project, which places collection bin for American flags that are no longer a fitting emblem for display in places like the Cranberry Township municipal building.

“I would urge everyone to take the time to acquaint themselves with the U.S. Flag Code and educate themselves about the flag’s rich history and the etiquette to displaying and retiring the flag,” said founder Denise Etter, a Cranberry Township resident and the wife of a U.S. Army veteran.

Retire Your Old Glory has 16 total locations where the public can drop off old or worn flags for a proper retirement ceremony.

Etter said that the organization’s mission began in 2011. The flags collected since then range in size from small stick flags, outdoor house flags, large flags from local businesses and military burial flags.

“We’re providing a service for people to be able to retire their flags with dignity and respect the way the U.S. Flag Code requests that it be done,” Etter said.

Retire Your Old Glory works with many organizations including Scouting America, the Girl Scouts, the American Legion, and the Veterans of Foreign Wars, to properly retire collected flags.

Individuals and organizations interested in supporting and learning more about Retire Your Old Glory or partnering with the organization can visit www.retireyouroldglory.com for additional information. A complete list of collection location is available at the website.