Veterans Collecting Old Flags for Disposal

Are the stars on that Stars and Stripes shining a little less brightly these days? Is that Old Glory looking a little less glorious than usual?

The Conejo Valley Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 11395 has set up six collection locations so that faded and tattered emblems of all stripes--including state and national flags--may be disposed of properly. Organizer Forrest Frieldssaid he publicizes six Conejo Valley drop-off locations for worn-out flags after major holidays such as the Labor Day weekend.

“Because we fly the flag patriotically we must dispose of it patriotically as well,” he said. “Most people don’t know how to do that or don’t have the means to do that.”

After a solemn ceremony and a prayer by a chaplain the flags are respectfully burned at a local crematory. The last time the local VFW branch held such a ceremony about two years ago more than 300 flags were burned, Frields said. Flags may be dropped off year-round at the following locations during regular business hours:

* Photography by Forrest, 1414 E. Thousand Oaks Blvd., Suite 218.

* Valley Oaks Memorial Park, 5600 Lindero Canyon Road.

* Tom’s Camera & Video, 1014 S. Westlake Blvd., No. 6.

* Thousand Oaks Elks Lodge No. 2477, 158 Conejo School Road.

* Thousand Oaks Photo, 587-G Ventu Park Road.

* Mail Call Postal Center, 587-F Ventu Park Road.