The Peru Gazette

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Stars from flags collected from customers are preserved and shared with veterans, active military, and first responders

Schenectady, N.Y., August 25, 2026– Thousands of American flags no longer suitable to fly are taking on new life as symbols of gratitude for those who serve and have served.

Earlier this summer, Market 32 and Price Chopper stores collected 2,902 worn American flags from customers n partnership with Stars for Our Troops™, a Troy-based nonprofit organization that gives embroidered stars from retired American flags to veterans, active-duty military members, first responders and others as a reminder that their service is not forgotten.

Of the flags collected, 462 cantons—or the blue field in that contains the 50 stars on each American flag—were deemed suitable for the Stars for Our Troops program, representing 23,100 individual American stars that can be shared with those who have served and protected our country.

Market 32 and Price Chopper marked the success of the collection with a star-cutting event at their main offices today, where representatives from the company and Stars for Our Troops demonstrated the process of carefully cutting the stars from the retired flags. Market 32, Price Chopper, and Northeast Grocery teammates joined in to cut stars from the flag canton

“This collection was about much more than giving worn flags a respectful retirement,” said Blaine Bringhurst, president of Market 32 and Price Chopper. “Every one of these stars represents an opportunity to say thank you to someone who has served our country. We’re incredibly grateful to our customers for helping us turn retired flags into thousands of meaningful reminders––a small yet important way we can ensure our nation’s heroes know they are remembered and appreciated.”

The stars will be distributed on Veterans Day in Market 32 and Price Chopper stores, and through Stars for Our Troops™, accompanied by a message that reads: “I am part of our American flag that has flown over the USA. I can no longer fly. The sun and winds caused me to become tattered and torn. Please carry me as a reminder that you are not forgotten.”

Stars for Our Troops™ was founded by Susan Wells in 2015 and gives retired American flags a meaningful second life by carefully preserving the embroidered stars and sharing them as a tangible expression of gratitude. Through its work with community organizations, businesses, and volunteers, Stars for Our Troops has transformed over 3 million worn flags into lasting symbols of appreciation.

Market 32 and Price Chopper held this special flag collection in recognition of Flag Day and the celebration of America’s 250th anniversary. Customers were invited to bring worn American flags to any of the company’s 128 Market 32 and Price Chopper stores for proper handling and retirement. Once retired, cantons removed from flags suitable for reuse were washed––compliments of Spin City Laundromat in Schenectady, NY–– and stars cut. Flags unsuitable for reuse and all scraps were transported to Fiber Conversions, a Broadalbin, NY company specializing in processing textile byproducts. Their services were also provided free of charge. “see the number of flags our customers brought to our stores is a wonderful reflection of the respect and gratitude people have for our military and our country,” Bringhurst said. “We’re proud to give these flags––and these stars––a meaningful next chapter.”

The initiative is part of Market 32 and Price Chopper’s ongoing commitment to supporting veterans, active-duty military members, first responders and their families through community partnerships, fundraising initiatives and programs across the company’s six-state footprint.