NEENAH, Wis. (WFRV) – A handcrafted wooden box sitting quietly in the lobby of Neenah City Hall received long-overdue recognition Friday morning, as city leaders and veterans gathered to honor the man behind it: World War II veteran Al Jansen.
The brief ceremony paid tribute to Jansen’s contribution—a ceremonial flag disposal box he built in his daughter’s garage shortly before his death in 2008.
“Dedicating the flag disposal box that my dad made way back in the day… it’s a lot,” said Paula Jansen, Al’s daughter. “He was a good man. He cared a lot about his country.”
Over the years, the origins of the box faded from public memory. But with Memorial Day approaching, city officials said it was time to highlight both the practical purpose of the box and the man whose quiet craftsmanship created it.
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“It’s a great space for people to dispose of their flag properly, and we take care of them as they should be taken care of,” said Bob Borszich of American Legion Post 33, which oversees the collection and proper retirement of the flags, typically through ceremonial burnings.
Jansen, a proud American Legion member and skilled mason, was known for his generosity and craftsmanship in retirement. He spent much of his later years helping others with home construction projects—and when he built the flag box, he did so with pride.
“He was kind and giving, and a great representation of what a man should be,” Paula said.
The tribute served as a reminder that Memorial Day is more than just a long weekend—it’s a time to reflect on those who served and sacrificed.
The flag disposal box remains in the City Hall lobby at 211 Walnut Street, where members of the public are encouraged to use it as a respectful way to retire their American flags.
