Honoring the United States flag… Local American Legion will properly dispose of flags Saturday

Published 4:52 pm Wednesday, June 10, 2020

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BY IVAN SANDERS
STAR STAFF
ivan.sanders@elizabethton.com 
So, to show patriotism you have flown an American flag at home but due to weathering and storms, the flag has become tattered and worn and needs to be replaced.
The question is does one just take the flag, wad it up, and throw it in the garbage.
Answer – absolutely NOT!
According to 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.
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.
For those who have an American flag to be disposed of or for those wanting to educate their family on the proper etiquette in retiring a flag is invited to come by American Legion Post 49 on Saturday morning beginning at 8 am to witness the ceremony.
Plans are to burn as many flags as possible depending on how hot the day is Saturday.
It would be a very educational process for everyone to show honor to the flag especially with Sunday being Flag Day.
“We have 5,000 flags that need to be properly retired,” said Post Commander Kelly Greene who also serves as Commander for the Honor Guard.
“We would love to have people come out and be a part of the ceremony.”
According to the Veterans of Foreign War website, the following steps are the correct etiquette to retiring a flag:

1. The flag should be folded in its customary manner.

2. It is important that the fire be fairly large and of sufficient intensity to ensure complete burning of the flag.

3. Place the flag on the fire.

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4. The individual(s) can come to attention, salute the flag, recite the Pledge of Allegiance and have a brief period of silent reflection.

5. After the flag is completely consumed, the fire should then be safely extinguished and the ashes buried.

One interesting thing to note is how large flags have to go through additional preparation before being retired.

“Larger flags like those flown at Pals and on Broad Street, we actually cut off the stars and bars and burn them individually before burning the flag itself,” Greene stated.

The ashes of the flags are also handled with respect receiving a proper burial after the ceremony is completed.

Commander Greene said there will be two flag retirements this year and for those who need to have flags retired, there is a drop box located at the Veterans Memorial in downtown Elizabethton.

The box is located on the sidewalk in front of the park.