The Jonesborough Flag Committee is established and members appointed by the Jonesborough Board of Mayor and Aldermen. The committee oversees the care of flags being flown in publicly in Jonesborough. The committee undertakes fundraising activities and a flag adoption program that provides the funding necessary to buy quality flags for Town facilities as well as the downtown streetscape. Another important function of the Committee is to oversee the collection of damaged and torn US flags, and to properly dispose of these flags during a formal Flag Retirement Ceremony held each year.
The Flag Committee enacted a price increase to the Adopt a Flag Program. This increase is due to the rising costs of Made in America Flags and the hardware to properly maintain them. This is the program’s first price increase since its inception in 2002.
Thank you for understanding and contributing to this patriotic program. God Bless America
Membership
The current Flag Committee is made up of the following members who serve on-going terms:
| Ruth Verhegge | Chair |
| Terry Countermine | Alderman – Town Board |
| Allyson Wilkinson | |
| Jennifer Richman | |
| Rick Gibson | |
| Dana Helvey | |
| Chris Kudera | Director of Parks and Recreation |
| Glenn Rosenoff | Town Administrator |
Flag Adoption
The Jonesborough Flag Committee oversees a program that allows residents to adopt a US flag that is flown on a street lamp in downtown and along Boone Street in Jonesborough. Residents can contribute a flat donation of $75, which covers the cost of the flag being flown on the lamp post, and a 3 inch by 5 inch plague clamped to the lamppost. The plaque can be in memory of, in honor of, or sponsored by a person or organization chosen by the donor. The adoption is for a year and flags are changed out by the committee as needed during the year. There is a $50 annual renewal fee for maintaining the flag. New contributors are always welcome. If you need additional information please contact either Ruth Verhegge, Flag Committee Chairman, at 423.794.0237 or Jennifer Richman at jen@richmanfamily.net.
Flag Collection and Retirement Ceremony
The Jonesborough Flag Committee sponsors flag collection containers and a Flag Retirement Ceremony each year. There are three clearly marked flag collection containers located at the Jonesborough Post Office parking lot near Town Hall, David Crockett High School, and the Food City parking lot in Gray. These ex free-standing mailboxes are painted red with a US Flag emblem, and residents are encouraged to dispose of their worn and tattered flags in these containers. During the year over 1,000 worn flags are collected, and these are properly stored for the Flag Retirement Ceremony.
The Flag Retirement Ceremony is normally held near the end of October each year by the Flag Committee. The ceremony is held with the assistance of the Daniel Boone High School Marine Corps Junior ROTC unit. The Town of Jonesborough has built burn units, and following US Flag Code flag disposal procedures hickory wood is placed in the burners and the flags are burned in the hot coals. The coals and the ashes are then properly buried. Because the collection program has been so successful, the Town has had to build additional burn units. A ceremonial flag disposal is initiated during the Flag Retirement Ceremony, and then after the ceremony ROTC cadets assist with the burn units most of the afternoon.
Flag Day Fundraiser
In the month of June each year the Flag Committee holds a fundraising event to help support the activities of the Flag Committee and to celebrate Flag Day. The event includes music and food provided by local restaurants. There is a silent auction of donated items from local businesses and organizations. The event is usually held at the McKinney Center at Booker T. Washington School in Jonesborough. Flag adoption and renewal forms are available at the event.
