In honor of National Flag Day, Union County Clerk Joanne Rajoppi reminds residents that torn or tattered American flags may be dropped off at her offices in Elizabeth and Westfield for proper retirement.
National Flag Day is held every year on June 14, as part of National Flag Week.
Union County residents can bring flags that are no longer fit for display to the County Clerk’s offices any day of the year during regular business hours for proper retirement.
Ms. Rajoppi also noted that on June 13, flags in Union County were lowered to half-mast in support of the Orlando community, in the aftermath of a mass shooting at a popular LGBT nightclub.
“Throughout our nation’s history, the American flag has been the symbol of liberty, justice, and solidarity in times of trial,” said Ms. Rajoppi. “Our flag reflects a deep well of emotion, and I am proud to work with our local veterans organizations to help ensure that the lifespan of every flag concludes in a manner that reflects its role in our shared consciousness as a nation.”
National Flag Day was first officially affirmed by presidential proclamation in 1916, two years after the start of World War I. In 1949, shortly after the end of World War II, an Act of Congress designated June 14 of each year as National Flag Day.
Flags for retirement may be left with staff at the County Clerk’s main office in the Union County Courthouse, 2 Broad Street, Room 115, in Elizabeth; and at the County Clerk’s Annex in the Colleen Fraser Building, 300 North Avenue East, in Westfield.
The Elizabeth office is open from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. The Westfield office is open from 8 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. on Tuesdays and Thursdays; 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays; and 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturdays.
For more information about the Union County Clerk’s flag retirement collection program, please call 908-527-4787. For all County Clerk services ucnj.org/county-clerk.