Additional settings for Safari Browser.
Stimson Boy Scouts Recognized for Worn American Flag Disposal Project
Members of Boy Scout Troop 218 from the South Huntington School District were recognized by the South Huntington Board of Education at the September 16th school board meeting for their American Flag Disposal Project that began in May of 2025 and will become an annual event at Stimson Middle School.
This past Memorial Day, Stimson held its first American Flag Disposal Drive to make sure worn flags are disposed of properly and respectfully. Assistant Principal James Tomeo proposed the idea when he bought a new flag for his house and didn’t know what to do with two old flags he had. Stimson’s Site-Based Management (SBM) team, which is made up of administrators, teachers, parents, and students who meet regularly to discuss all aspects of Stimson’s operations, including community service projects, loved the idea and researched the proper protocol.
“This year continues to be all about community and giving back at Stimson. And as we were going into that Memorial Day holiday, we were thinking of what's another thing we can do as a give back? What can we do for the community?” said Stimson Principal Michael Duggan
Stimson Social Studies teacher Mr. Keith Gunsel stepped right up to help. He is a retired Navy Master Chief Operations Specialist. He’s also the Scoutmaster of Boy Scout Troop 218 based in Melville which has participated in flag disposal ceremonies during previous scouting trips. He told Stimson principal Mike Duggan that his troop would properly dispose of the collected flags during their summer camping trip. The flags are folded in the traditional triangle, ceremonially burned, and the ashes are buried.
Technology teachers Mr. Robert Bilicki and Mr. Matthew Collins teamed up to build a flag collection box with the help of students in Stimson’s Life Skills Vocational Program. It was another valuable skill for the Life Skills students to learn as they used palm sanders to prepare the wooden box for staining. South Huntington’s Life Skills program is for students with diverse needs, including those with cognitive impairments or physical disabilities. They take classes in academic subjects like Math, English, and Social Studies at Stimson Middle School everyday while also learning practical, social, and job skills that will help them live independently.
Mr. Collins’ digital technology students worked on creating a design for the front of the collection box. The winning design was the work of Stimson student Brady O'Connor. The box was placed in Stimson’s front entrance lobby by the main office, and flyers were sent out to the community letting people know where and when to drop off their worn, tattered, or torn American flags. About a dozen flags were collected and members of Troop 218 respectfully disposed of them in July.
“I’m so proud of them,” said Mr. Duggan. “We appreciate when our students take the lead on a project like this that shows leadership. We can teach them about math and science all day long, but it's the real world projects that really get us excited to see, you know, true learning.”
The flag collection box will remain in the Stimson lobby all year round and flags can be dropped off at any time. The community will be reminded of the collection effort especially around Memorial Day next year.
Congratulations to scouts Devin Borden, Cooper Daniels, Alexander Demarest, Andrew Ghibaudi, Ryan Gulickson, Jay Gunsel, Joseph Lantier, Andrew Litwin, Caleb Marsden, Brendan McCord, Sebastian McCord, Christian O’Connor, Ronaldo Rodriguez, and Diego Tupiza.
Members of Troop 218 conduct flag burning ceremony in July.
