ELGIN, Ill., June 13, 2009
Trash Collector "Rescues" American Flags
Suburban Chicago Man Retrieves Stars And Stripes That've Been Tossed; He's Grabbed Hundreds
-
Jeff Olsen, a trash collector in Elgin, Ill., has rescued hundreds of American flags that have been thrown away by people, seeing to it they are disposed of in an honorable way. Now, Olsen is being honored by the American Legion and Elks. (WBBM)
And for his efforts, the trash collector in the Chicago suburb of Elgin is being honored on Sunday -- Flag Day -- by the American Legion and the Elks.
When Olsen spots a flag someone has simply thrown out, he grabs it and brings it with him back to the garage, Vince Gerasole of CBS station WBBM-TV in Chicago reported on the CBS News broadcast The Early Show Saturday Edition.
He's "flagged" hundreds -- many in very poor condition. But Olsen knows their Old Glory is still precious.
He showed Gerasole the biggest flag he's ever saved -- it was as high as Olsen is tall. He also took out the box in which the flags he's rescued sit, all folded in the proper manner.
Olsen has a Stars and Stripes in the cab of his truck, some hang in the office of his company, Waste Management, and another flies outside the entrance, but the rest are handed over to the American Legion for proper disposal --- that is -- by burning in a dignified way.
Over the past 18 months alone, Olsen has found more than 250.
"Out of respect for the flag," he tells Gerasole, "It's the U/ S. of A. You've got to do it. ... The flag represents me; it's a good feeling to save a flag."
Her adds that he's not the only flag rescuer, saying, "There's a lot of other gatbage guys out there doing the same thing."
Olsen believes most people throw out old flags because they don't know exactly what to do with them.
The Pentagon says they should be disposed of with dignity, preferably by burning them.
But today's synthetic fibers create toxic fumes, which is why, Gerasole notes, the American Legion burns them in a crematorium.
© MMIX, CBS Interactive Inc. All Rights Reserved.
Best-selling author Mitch Albom on his first nonfiction work since "Tuesdays with Morrie."
- 1
- 2
- 3
- 4
- 5
- next
See all 91 CommentsNow I fly my new flag on weekends or whenever I'm home, and the punk kids turned 18 and they're all in jail for drugs, drunk driving, assault, etc.
--What's a gatbage guy?
I'm afraid I have to STRONGLY disagree with you, presjfk. YOUR perception is the problem. Sure the actual flag is just a piece of fabric, but what we RESPECT is what that flag REPRESENTS. Don't you get that? A 100 dollar bill is just a piece of paper, but you understand that IT stands for something, right? Well, THE FLAG represents what the USA stands for. You HONOR and RESPECT what it STANDS FOR.
Got your flag flyin' today?
Oh, I think maybe you said that you have it flying everyday, didn't you?
BTW, I am also a Christian. And I am 'still ashamed of you'!!!!!!
Posted by haint-talkin"
Great post! I agree 100%!
Posted by presjfk at 2:15 PM : Jun 14, 2009
And heres another one
then, first chance they get they send american soldiers to die in foreign lands based on lies and deceit.
then, they go to church and pray like the hypocrits they are.
religious, bible thumping, war making, ignorant lying creeps.
oh well, that's those republicans for you, folks!
Posted by haint-talkin at 10:19 AM : Jun 14, 2009
Really know it all, don't you.
Posted by NeverForget_911"
Your perception is the problem, you see something more than a flag and yet that is all they are. Worn American flags are nothing more than worn pieces of fabric. They deserve nothing. American veterans are another story, they are deserving.
Your loyaly to the democrats, and not your country, will eventually be your downfall.
Posted by Audacity_of_Deception"
Bad news for you jackass, prior to Roe vs. Wade, abortions were still performed by the millions. Gays can't get married in most states - but they are still sodomizing and all other kinds of junk you don't like - but you and others against gays think you have put an end to gaydom with such prohibitions! Nonsense.
Nobody is for higher taxes but you can't have unlimited spending and tax cuts without paying the bill! Both parties are guilty of this but maybe the Reps more so!
You right-wing politics are the problem, not the solution.
Move to Iran, abortion is illegal and there are no gays according to their President.
then, first chance they get they send american soldiers to die in foreign lands based on lies and deceit.
then, they go to church and pray like the hypocrits they are.
religious, bible thumping, war making, ignorant lying creeps.
oh well, that's those republicans for you, folks!
Posted by haint-talkin"
Great post! I agree 100%!
Especially when it is the presently most hated symbol in the world.
As they say "every one should have two,
**** on one and cover it up with the other."
Posted by earth562 at 9:59 AM : Jun 14, 2009
--------
Yawn.
Posted by heuristic1 at 10:59 PM : Jun 13, 2009
do you want to try that with me around limpbrain ?
Posted by whatdableep at 1:50 AM : Jun 14, 2009
Yes, maybe some of the ones prior to the Bush Derangement Syndrome and the post 9/11 conspiracy nuts
- 1
- 2
- 3
- 4
- 5
- next
See all 91 Comments