In the lead-up to Flag Day, HSHS Good Shepherd Hospital has teamed up with American Legion Post 81 and VFW Post 4829 in Taylorville to collect worn and faded American flags for proper retirement.

Now through Thursday, June 12, community members can drop off old flags at several locations on the hospital’s campus, including the main entrance, Rural Health Clinic, and outpatient therapy building.

The effort is part of an annual tradition to ensure American flags are disposed of respectfully. Once collected, the flags will be honored in a formal retirement ceremony conducted by the local veterans' organizations.

Lorrie Hayden, coordinator of mission integration at Good Shepherd, says the program fills a need in the community as many people know that flags need to be disposed of, but may not know how or where to do it at.

More information about HSHS Good Shepherd Hospital can be found at hshsgoodshepherd.org.