Sioux Falls Scheels Hosts First American Flag Exchange

The Sioux Falls Scheels store, in partnership with American Legion Post 15, honored the American flag by collecting worn flags for respectful retirement and exchanging them for new ones.

The event marked Scheels’ first flag exchange, turning shopping into a tribute to veterans and the nation’s symbol of freedom.

Event Details and Participation

Andrew Thiessen, Scheels’ hunting manager and a veteran, shared that the store provided 250 replacement flags for the exchange.

“It’s something that the other stores have done and seems to be really successful, so this is our first year doing it here at this store, and I think it’s going really well so far,”

Support for Veterans

Scheels committed to donating $25 to the American Legion for every flag exchanged, with a maximum donation of $3,000, benefiting local veterans and their families.

“To Scheels, I think it’s just a very core foundation of who we are as a company,” Thiessen said. “We pride ourselves on being employee-owned and a veteran-supporting organization. To me, as a veteran, that’s huge because it’s very welcoming to vets who are transitioning out of the military.”

Significance of the Flag

Bill Peters, the Department of South Dakota American Legion Membership Chairman, emphasized the event's importance as a reminder of the flag’s meaning.

Summary

The Sioux Falls Scheels' first flag exchange event combined patriotism and community support, honoring veterans while respectfully exchanging old flags for new.