BERWICK NEWS
Local Eagle Scout Creates Repository for “Old Glory”
One of North Berwick’s up-and-coming citizens is Topher Leon, a member of NOBLE High School’s Class of 2021 who graduated with honors and is headed to the University of Maine in Orono starting this fall.
Among his many achievements, one project stands out for this stellar student and athlete, who is a member of Berwick Scout Troop 313 and has been active in scouting since first grade: his Eagle Scout project.
Initiated in 2020, Topher’s project involved soliciting and scheduling helpers, and designing, building, and installing several containers for community use in properly disposing American flags that are no longer serviceable. Topher created and distributed four bright blue flag disposal boxes to provide a convenient way for local residents to dispose of their old flags in a proper and respectful manner. The flags are then collected by Berwick’s American Legion Post #79 for appropriate disposal, most notably at Flag Day Ceremonies held annually on the 14th of June at the Berwick town hall.
The Post #79 members were thrilled to sponsor Topher’s project, which took six months to complete and made much more difficult due to state and local rules and restrictions imposed during the pandemic. Now thanks to Topher’s project, flag boxes are now strategically located at the Berwick Town Hall, the Berwick Public Library, the NOBLE Middle School, and the Berwick United Methodist Church, where Boy and Cub Scout meetings are held. So, if you or someone you know has a worn or torn American flag that should no longer be flown, look for the brilliant blue flag topped boxes where you can safely lay your “Old Glory” to rest. Topher, we salute you!
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