Eagle Scout James Laferriere’s receptacle ready for retired flags
As a member of the Zephyrhills High School JROTC, Command Sergeant Major James Laferriere saw the need for a flag depository in the community for tattered and worn flags.
Laferriere, also an Eagle Scout in Zephyrhills, took on creating the flag depository as his Eagle Scout project and unveiled it Wednesday evening on the property of the FOE Eagles Lodge in downtown Zephyrhills. The mail box style depository is in the rear of the building between the lodge and the Pasco County Fire Station No. 25.
A recent ZHS grad, Laferriere thanked his supporters including members of Zephyrhills City Council, the Eagles Lodge, his parents, scout leaders and JROTC instructors for being a guiding force in getting his project complete.
“When I was in JROTC, we had our flag retirement ceremony, I noticed around the community there was no place to drop off flags. There was no receptacle. I saw that as a good project for our community,” Laferriere said. “With that being a necessity in my eyes, everyone wanted to assist. The community helped out a ton.”
He noted he received funds from the members of city council and others in the community. He purchased the materials and constructed the box.
“It’s nice to see young people doing something like this,” said Zephyrhills Marine Corps League past commandant Rod Rehrig.
On hand for the unveiling was ZHS Principal Dr. Christina Stanley, one of Laferriere’s biggest fans
“It definitely gives us hope for the future of what the community of Zephyrhills has to offer,” said ZHS Principal Dr. Christina Stanley. “We have kids like him who are hard-working, driven and care about their community and care about giving back. It is a joy to watch it.”