The Oak Park Fire Department installed the first official United States flag drop boxes for proper disposal with the help of a Scout from Troop 2.
Scout Hunter Bogehegn needed to complete an Eagle Scout project to reach the highest rank in Scouting America, and Deputy Chief Kevin Fadden is no stranger to helping on a project. He has 20 years of experience working with scouts and involvement in over 200 Eagle Scout projects.
The fire department had the idea of the flag drop boxes as Oak Park did not have proper drop sites, yet they have collected many flags over the years to help with the disposal process. These boxes make that process easier for all involved.
Two boxes were built and installed at Station 1 at 100 N. Euclid Ave., and Station 3 at 900 S. East Ave. They are open 24/7 and all one has to do is place the retired flag inside of the box, and the fire department will handle the rest.
Fadden said they had “a little bit of concept of what we wanted, but no real details,” and that is where Bogehegn was able to help out.
Bogehegn said the hardest, and most important, part of the project was creating the plan. An Eagle Scout project places emphasis on leadership, and once his plan was approved, Bogehegn led a team to complete the work.
“I like the idea that I can just help in any way with the community, and I haven’t seen anything like this around here,” said Bogehegn.
He joined the Scouts in third grade and is now in his senior year of high school. He said it is “exciting, but kind of sad at the same time,” as he gets closer to finishing his time in the program.
This is the third Eagle Scout project in partnership with the Oak Park Fire Department in the past several years. One group of scouts helped lay down bricks surrounding the front landscaping, and another built a specialized drying rack for the firefighter’s gear.
“Watching a teenager lead this project is the fun part, and I support it personally because of the growth and the maturity and the skills that these boys and girls have to put together to accomplish this goal,” said Fadden.
Fadden highlighted all of the beneficial skills he has seen scouts gain over the years from these projects including communication, experience in working with budgets, and teamwork. He said he recommends the Scouting America program to anyone and everyone.
“We are giving these kids a chance to learn and to better themselves,” said Fadden. “Why not support a program that is helping our youth become better?”
Bogehegn’s advice to any young people interested in getting involved is to “go into it with an open mind and be excited because it’s a fun process and you learn a lot. It’s just an overall great experience.”
