Eagle Project honors US flags

For Gunner Martwick, who has spent 11 years as a Cub Scout, Boy Scout and soon to be an Eagle Scout, the growth he’s seen isn’t just about personal growth; it’s about service to his local community here in Creston.

This is part of what inspired Martwick to begin working on his Eagle Scout Service Project. Now complete and located at the Creston Elks Club, Martwick, with the help of his troop and family, has created a drop-off container for those looking to retire the American flag.

Within the U.S. and based on the nation’s flag code, it’s disrespectful to throw away a worn-out flag like any other trash item. In honor of the nation and what the U.S. flag represents, dignified ceremonies, such as one Boy Scouts help perform in Creston annually, gives respect back to the country and to the community.

Martwick led the construction of the drop-off container, described by him as resembling a potato bin, for the purpose of storing flags. Requiring some ingenuity in renovations, the drop-off point for those looking to retire their aging stars and stripes became a source for Martwick to give back to the community which raised him.

“People were asking me [as a Scout] where to give flags so they can be retired,” Martwick said. “No one really knew where they could go, so I figured the best option was to see a place where they can be taken.”

Since he was 11 and as a part of his service as a Scout, Martwick would collect cans donated at the Creston Fareway, some of which helped partially fund his service project. Other local funding sources helped bring the project to fruition.

The location of the Elks Club brings another piece of connection to Martwick, having been raised in the area and having family members be a part of the club. Martwick empties the drop-off container himself, and prepares each flag for Scout meetings, preparing their eventual retirement.

Every Fourth of July in collaboration with the city’s VFW, Creston Boy Scout Troop 129, celebrating their 90th year in 2025, hold a flag retirement ceremony at McKinley Park. After a speech honoring the significance of the flag, the cloth is held over a flame and burned from the center out.

“It’s a very solemn ceremony,” Charlotte Fletcher, who has assisted Troop 129 with their community activities, said. “It’s meaningful, respectful and gives the community a reason to get involved.”

The activity has become a tradition as part of Creston’s Fourth of July festivities. The legacy remains as families return to Creston for the ceremony, honoring the tradition and the flag. For Martwick, who has participated in the ceremony in previous years, it wraps up the concept of service.

“Everybody comes around from everywhere, they might not live here but they’re coming back,” Martwick said. “They watch grandkids, they want to see something like that.”

Scouting for Martwick represents a level of personal growth as well. Besides activities for merit badges and higher ranks, such as constructing a functional shelter or learning how to administer first aid, a level of leadership building is required, which Martwick received from his scoutmaster.

Martwick envisions his service continuing, even after achieving the highest rank of Eagle.

“Later on in life, I can come back and help [other Scouts] and help get their stuff done,” Martwick said.