Honoring the United States flag… Local American Legion will properly dispose of flags Saturday
Published 4:52 pm Wednesday, June 10, 2020
Star Photo/Ivan Sanders The American Legion will be having a flag retirement ceremony on Saturday beginning at 8 am at the American Legion Post building on West G. Street. There are 5000 flags that need to be properly retired. If one needs to drop off a flag for proper retiremeny, citizens can drop off their flags in the box located downtown at the Veterans War Memorial Park on the sidewalk.
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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.
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.
