Rusk Eagle Scout recycles flags for project honoring vets, first responders

RUSK – A local Eagle Scout is breathing new life into retired US flags by repurposing their stars to distribute to veterans in appreciation for their service and sacrifice.

Jack Leggett – an eighth-grader at Rusk Junior High who is a member of Troop 405, Tomahawk District, East Texas Area Council – said he wasn’t certain “what I wanted to do for my project but I knew I wanted it to have meaning. So I started looking for ideas and I found the idea from a website from ‘Stars For Our Troops,’ which makes these stars every time they get a new retired flag.”

According to his mother – and assistant scout master for the troop – Stephanie Leggett, the youth was allowed to take three oversize garbage bags containing retired flags to sort through to collect stars that were the right size for the project.

“He had to ensure the stars were stitched on the flags and not just printed,” she explained, noting that her son spend a number of evenings for several months cutting out each star. “Recently we spent a meeting with our boys scout troop where everyone pitched in … flag cutters, star cutters and baggers were all over the room helping his project come to the halfway mark!”

He commended fellow troop members for their assistance with the project, as well as recognized his family’s role.

“Most of the boys from Troop 405 will be helping me with the project and also my mom and dad helps me with them, too. My little sister even puts the completed packet in the boxes,” Jack said.

Each star takes between 30 to 60 seconds to complete, and is tucked inside a plastic bag that also contains a specially designed business card that reads ‘we see, respect and feel apologetic for their sacrifices,’ Jack said.

While military veterans are the primary recipients, the stars also will be presented to those who are related to a veteran that has passed, are a first responder or if they are an outstanding citizen in the community, the scout said.

His mom said Jack has set a 2,000-star goal and has surpassed the half-way mark, but still has a number of flags to deconstruct to reach that goal. And by the sound of it, every star created is quickly finding a recipient to go to!

“Currently Jack's project is making major waves,” she said. “He wanted to make a community impact but in reality this has expanded far far beyond Rusk. He will be awarding stars throughout Cherokee County, Tyler, Dallas, El Campo and he is even mailing stars to people in Pennsylvania that he knows. The more people have heard about his project, the more people have wanted to help.”

As he continues working on these stars of recognition, the youth is determined to let those who serve know they are remembered and appreciated.

“Jack's whole goal for the project was to let those that work so hard and so tirelessly know that they are not forgotten and that they are appreciated,” Leggett said, adding that the project ties into a bigger goal to help bring the local American Legion into the spotlight.

American Legion Coleman-Isgate Post 293, which opened earlier this year in Rusk, has quickly become a hub of local activity through the various events and programs it has hosted during that time at 1001 E. 4th St.
The post gives retired veterans “a place they can feel safe and feel like they belong,” she said. “Everyone needs to feel accepted and oftentimes service members struggle to connect to people who haven't served. So by broadcasting for The American Legion (Jack) is hoping to help at least one veteran find some additional hope.”

While the project began as a way to honor individuals who give of themselves in service to others, Jack’s decision to work on his Eagle badge is nod to his late grandfather.

“It is a connection that he has with someone he didn't have the chance to meet (before Jack was born),” Leggett said. “His grandfather overcame cancer and earned Eagle Scout, and Jack now is walking in his footsteps in his honor.”