Operation Respect Release

October 13, 2016 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

US Navy Sea Cadets & Boy Scouts Honor Veterans in Opening Ceremony Faded & Worn American Flags Collected for Proper Retirement

To show their appreciation for those who serve, local US Navy Sea Cadets & Boy Scouts will participate in a solemn Veterans Day ceremony at 6:00 PM on Friday, November 11th, at The Andersons Store on Talmadge and Monroe St. The public is invited to attend this free event. Area Andersons Stores are mobilizing for the 16th annual “Operation Respect,” the region’s largest flag collection & retirement effort. Operation Respect has properly disposed of more than 47,000 flags since its inception in 2001. This is a free public service provided for the community by The Andersons, Buckeye Broadband & supporting organizations. “Our young Sea Cadets understand that they are next in line to serve our country,” says Lieutenant Jeff Nowakowski, Commander of the local US Navy Sea Cadet Commodore Perry Division. “This ceremony and the retirement of the flags shows our veterans how serious the next generation is about guarding America’s legacy.” Faded, torn or otherwise unservicable American flags will be accepted Saturday, November 12th from 9:00 AM until 5:00 PM . Flags may also be dropped off on Sunday November 13th from 10:00AM until 5PM. The 2 Toledo-area Anderson’s Stores locations are:  Talmadge and Monroe St.  Illinois Avenue in Maumee In addition, flags of other nations, official flags for any of the 50 States, US Territories or the military services will also be accepted. However, sports or team flags will not be accepted. Soldiers of the Ohio Military Reserve, U.S. Navy Sea Cadets - Commodore Perry Division, University of Toledo ROTC cadets, area Boy Scouts and Cub Scouts are supporting the Operation Respect collection stations for the weekend. A respectful retirement ceremony is planned as part of Fort Meigs’ Holiday Open House, scheduled for December 11th in Maumee, OH. The flags will be incinerated in accordance with the U.S. Flag Code.

CONTACT: Jim Nowak Operation Respect Organizer w- (419) 724-7209 Cell (419) 699-3895 [email protected]

OPERATION RESPECT 2016 Page 1 of 2 October 13, 2016 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Last year, US Navy Sea Cadets, Boy Scouts, Cadets from the University of Toledo Rocket Battalion and Soldiers from the Ohio Military Reserve accepted nearly 3,000 unservicable American flags during Operation Respect.

OPERATION RESPECT 2016 Page 2 of 2