On the 4th of July, to honor the American Flag, VFW Post 2775 and Boy Scout Troop 1 held a ceremony to properly retire collected U.S. Flags. While conducting the ceremony and while attending to the remnants of the flags as they continued to burn, several vehicles passed by and cursed. Billy Kratzer, Scout Master of Troop 1 said, ” We hope those who did so were simply unaware of the fact we were conducting a dignified ceremony. The Flag was not being desecrated. We want all to know this was a proper retirement.”
Kratzer has provided the following information on proper flag retirement.
FLAG RETIREMENT: HOW TO PROPERLY RETIRE AN AMERICAN FLAG
The United States Flag Code, Title 4, Section 8k states-“The flag, when it is in such condition that it is no longer a fitting emblem of display, should be destroyed in a dignified way, preferably by burning.”
Flag Retirement is the term used to define the proper, dignified way of destroying United States flags that are no longer fit to serve the nation.
WHEN SHOULD YOU RETIRE YOUR AMERICAN FLAG?
It’s up to you. Most people retire their flag once it has become tattered or faded. Keep in mind that you are able to wash and repair your flag to help extend its life.
WHO CAN RETIRE THE AMERICAN FLAG?
Anyone. The U.S. Flag Code does not specify any one person or organization that is authorized for retiring American Flags.
An official flag retirement ceremony is not required, however, the disposal should be private, dignified, and solemn.
HOW DO YOU RETIRE THE AMERICAN FLAG PROPERLY?
The preferred, and often considered the most dignified, way to retire an American flag is to burn it. As stated above, the action of doing so must be dignified and the flag must be completely burned to ashes.
We realize that burning may not always be an option and some burned American Flag materials are not good for the environment. Listed below are a few other options when it comes to properly retiring an American Flag:
1. Contact your local Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) post, Elks Lodge, American Legion post or similar group. These organizations are often familiar with flag retirement protocol and will take your flag and ensure that it is disposed of properly.
2. Recycle your American Flag.
There are companies found on the internet that will accept and recycle, usually for a small fee or donation. Be sure to do your research ahead of time to ensure you’re working with a respectable organization.
3. Send to the Stars for our Troops program.
The Stars for our Troops program takes your old, tattered and worn out American Flags and turns them into a prized possession for an American Soldier at home, on base or overseas. Volunteers lovingly cut each embroidered star from the flag, dispose of the stripes properly, and place each star into a tiny plastic bag with a card.
The card reads:
“I am part of our American flag that has flown over the U.S.A. I can no longer fly. The sun and winds have caused me to become tattered and torn. Please carry me as a reminder that you are not forgotten”
The program does not accept printed flags, only embroidered, and the flags must be Made in the USA.
If you’d like to contribute your retired flag to the Stars for Our Troops program, please send your flag to the following address:
Stars for Our Troops, Inc.
2 116th St, Box 301
Troy, NY 12182-0301
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