To many, the

American flag is a beautiful sight, stirring feelings of patriotism and

love of country.

But some flags

have seen better days and appear more battle-scarred than most.

So the American

Legion Post in Fayetteville decided to create a place for residents to

drop off flags so they can be properly "retired."

An old post

office letter drop box was given a red, white and blue paint job by Legion

member Dave Niebes, and it has already caught the attention of passers

by. It's located in front of the Legion's home, the log house on Ga. Highway

85 across the street from the Stonewall Village county government complex.

After the box

was out just a week, several folks caught on and dropped off a total of

19 flags for legionnaires to take care of.

"Isn't

that incredible?" Niebes said, obviously caught off guard by the

response from the community as he checked the box for the first time.

Niebes praised

the U.S. Postal Service for not only donating the unused letter drop box,

but for delivering it along with the heavy concrete slab that keeps it

from growing legs and walking off.

The box is

clearly marked to let citizens know not to drop U.S. mail inside, but

the Legion has agreed to pass forward any misdirected mail to the post

office for delivery.

Postal officials

were very cooperative with the Legion for the project, Niebes said.

The box "was

in very good condition," Niebes noted.