Sean Shinn with his flag box Eagle Scout project.

By Allen Payton

Sean Shinn started in scouting in second grade. A few months later he met Josie Monaghan, founder of the East County Veterans Thrift Stores in downtown Antioch, at the 9-11 Memorial event and kept in constant contact.

“I’ve been around vets my entire life,” Shinn, now a junior at Antioch High and a member of Troop 151, said. “So, helping Josie would be amazing since she’s been helping every veteran that’s come back. I helped her with her store when she was starting out.”

So when it came to do a project to earn the rank of Eagle Scout, he contacted Josie. Shinn had already done two other projects at the [Veterans] Peer Counseling Center, including making a brochure rack, for the self-help mentoring. Plus, he organized the books they already had.

One of the ideas was a box for collecting American flags that are torn, tattered or faded, so they can be properly disposed of.

“They’re no longer fit for duty, according to the Flag Code,” Shinn shared. “They’re then retired.”

That’s done in two ways, either by burning or burying the flag.

He built the box and installed it in February, this year and a variety of flags have already been deposited in the box.

Shinn spoke of properly retiring a flag.

“It has to be done respectfully,” he shared. “Only Boy Scouts or military are authorized to do a flag retirement ceremony.”

He is almost done earning his desired rank.

“I have a couple more things to do,” Shinn stated. “One more merit badge and then my Eagle Scout Board of Review. Then I’m there. Hopefully in the next couple months.”

His future plans include military service with hopes of attending the Naval Academy.

If you have a worn American flag, you can bring it the East County Veterans Thrift Store at 522 West Second Street in Antioch and place it in Shinn’s flag box. It will be disposed of properly.

Residents and business owners are invited to learn how a Community Choice Energy (CCE) program can allow the city to buy electrical power from renewable sources (such as solar and wind) in partnership with PG&E for delivery and maintenance.

An Antioch CCE has the potential to reduce residential and commercial electrical bills, reduce Antioch’s carbon footprint and provide for new green developments, businesses and jobs within Antioch.

The meeting, sponsored by Contra Costa Clean Energy Alliance, will be held Tuesday, July 7th at 6:00 p.m. at the Antioch Library, 501 W. 18th St. For more information call Harry Thurston at (925) 303-9482.

More photos to follow….

The crowd at the candelight vigil for Jeremy “Lumpy” Sturgill gathers in front of Lumpy’s Diner in Antioch, and listens as his father Dave “Digger” Sturgill speak, Friday night, June 19, 2015.

By Allen Payton

An estimated 4,000 to 5,000 people gathered in the parking lot near Lumpy’s Diner in Antioch, Friday night, June 19^th to remember owner Jeremy “Lumpy” Sturgill, who died suddenly at the age of 35, the previous Tuesday morning.

Those in attendance held lighted candles and listened to family members and friends share their thoughts. Speakers included his father and mother, car club leaders and then, finally, his wife Marci.

Lumpy’s mother, Kathy Sturgill speaks to those gathered, last Friday night.

“You can’t outgive the Lord,” said his mother Kathy Sturgill speaking of her memory of the first fundraiser Lumpy held at his restaurant and the conversation she had with him about it. “All he wanted to do was make everyone proud of him. I can tell you we are proud of our son. I’m gonna miss my son. But, I love that boy.”

“This is the hardest thing I’ve had to do,” his father Dave “Digger” Sturgill, owner of Diggers in Brentwood, said. “They call me Digger because I’m a grave digger. Today I had to pick out the casket for my son. But I believe he made things right with God, and I will see him again. If you give your heart to Jesus you will see him again. That is the desire of my heart.”

Following Sturgill’s parents, leaders of various car clubs, which had participated in car shows in the same parking lot, spoke

“It didn’t matter what connected you to Lumpy, whether it was sports, art, or just good food,” said Arami Picazo of the Pastimes Car Club. “He made a connection with you. I’ll always remember Lumpy for the loving, caring person he was. As we celebrate Lumpy’s life let’s take a moment to remember the moments that were special.”

Gena Noack, Manager of Lumpy’s Diner, spoke as the female servers, known as the angels, stood next to her.

“I’m going to make this diner, with Marci, what he wanted,” she said. “This is the angels. Now, Lump now you’re our angel.”

Then, Marci Sturgill spoke and offered an emotional thank you to all those who attended.

Family and friends, seated in the center of the crowd, were then handed lanterns, which when lit, floated into the sky. Although it was a windy night, most all of the lanterns were able to launch.

The funeral service for Lumpy will be held this Wednesday and visitation will be Tuesday night. For details, please click here.

Friends and family light the lanterns at Lumpy’s vigil, Friday night.

The lanterns rise into the sky on the windy evening in memory of Jeremy “Lumpy” Sturgill, Friday night, June 19, 2015.