Note: the date and location have changed since the story first ran. Correct information is included in the story below.

Somewhere in a Bellevue garage or basement, an old, tattered American flag is folded in dusty corner. Ellis Hughes wants that flag.

Ellis is collecting worn and tattered American flags from the community as part of his project to become an Eagle Scout.

“Many people know that proper flag etiquette calls for proper disposal of a worn flag, but my experience is that most people do not know where to go,” said Ellis, a member of Troop 430 in Medina.

The result, he noted, is that many patriotic citizens in the community end up storing worn flags indefinitely.

“My project will help these individuals do the right thing with the symbol of our country and clear out their worn flags from storage,” Ellis said.

Ellis will be collecting flags from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. on May 9, 16 and 23 at the Bellevue Village QFC. His goal is to collect over 1000 flags.

Ellis and members of the troop will properly retire the flags on Memorial Day along with the VFW Post 2995 from Redmond. The date also happens to be Ellis’ birthday.

The retirement ceremony will be done on May 24 at 2 p.m. at VFW Post 2995 located at 4330 148th Ave. N.E., Redmond and the public is welcome to attend.

“This ceremony can be very moving,” Ellis noted.

The Bellevue Village QFC is located at 10116 N.E. Eighth St.