Ceremonial Flag Retirement/Disposal Fire Ring
Izak Rohrbaugh, son of Legionnaires Michael and Ashley Rohrbaugh, earned his Eagle Scout award by building a very beautiful ceremonial flag retirement/disposal fire ring for the Clear Fork American Legion Post 661 in Lueders, Texas.
Izak has been involved in helping with our dignified flag disposal ceremony for several years and he wanted to make a permanent site that would look nice year-round and make it a more somber area to dispose of the American flags which are no longer serviceable. Izak presented his project to the post at one of our meetings and we encouraged Izak to speak clearly and with courage about his project. At first, Izac spoke softly and timidly, but within one year from when he first approached the post, he was speaking with confidence and boldness.
Izak's project took two and a half years from start to finish. He had to reach out to businesses, churches and individuals to get the funds and donations for his project. Izak feels like he has grown from his experience with this project and speaks on why he wanted to build the site:
“There were multiple reasons that I had chosen a ceremonial flag retirement fire ring as my Eagle Scout project. However, the main reason and the one that I believe to be the most important is our nation’s flag needed a respectable retirement site. Since becoming a Cub Scout, I have attended meetings at the American Legion Post 661 in Lueders, Texas, with my dad and we have always retired the flags in a burning barrel. I believe that the flag is a very important symbol of our nation, and it needed a more respectable retirement. After years of work, I was able to come up with a plan and secured the donations to create a proper site that will not only honor our flag, but also last and be enjoyed for years to come.”
Izak finished the project in time for the post's annual Veterans Day supper and flag disposal ceremony last November. He received his Eagle Scout award in May of 2024.
Joe Trumbo Adjutant Clear Fork American Legion Post 661
