Honoring Old Glory

Hartley residents have a new outlet to dispose of old flags.

The Stoltz family recently donated a receptacle in honor of Donald Wichman, Jackie Stoltz's father. The drop box is situated conveniently outside the American Legion's headquarters in downtown Hartley.

"I was trying to find something to do with some of Dad's memorial money and thought of this," said Stoltz. "There has never been a drop-off location before for old flags, and people have asked what to do with them. People didn't know where to bring them."

Wichman, who died in 2016, was a very active member of V.F.W. Post #2295 in Emmetsburg. He rarely missed serving in the Honor Guard during parades, funerals or other community events and also helped at annual fish fries, BINGO and countless fundraisers.

Always wanting to help, Wichman regularly drove veterans to appointments. Stoltz said her dad was very proud of the fact that he volunteered approximately 9,700 hours and logged more than 400,000 miles for veterans over three decades. He was also instrumental in the planning and completion of the Veterans Memorial as well as the memorial at Evergreen Cemetery and at Soper Park in Emmetsburg.

"He always wanted to help," Stoltz said.

The flag receptacle is a recycled telephone drop box the Stoltzes had hanging around. Dave Patton, of Patton's Powder Coating, donated his time and materials to sand blast and paint it. Fanning Construction also donated time and materials for the cement pad on which the box sits.

"Those were huge donations," Stoltz said.

Sybesma Graphics, of Sanborn, was hired to do the final graphic design on the receptacle. It was installed Aug. 11.

Stoltz said flags have already been dropped off at the receptacle. According to American Legion Post #288 Cmdr. Roy Wohlert, official flag burning ceremonies will be held in the future to properly dispose of the banners. Stoltz was just happy Hartleyites and other area residents now have a place to bring them.

"We just wanted to honor Dad," she said. "I've already gotten comments that it really looks nice and is a nice addition."