On this past Saturday, I was able to attend a very patriotic and moving flag ceremony. This was unlike any that I have attended in the fact that it was to retire a flag; a flag that was deemed no longer fit to serve its purpose of representing our country.
At our DAR, Daughters of the American Revolution, Flag Day Ceremony we had the help of a local Boy Scout Troop to retire the flag. Our Regent (the head over our chapter) researched how a flag should be properly retired. There are several sites that talk about what should be done and each a little different, so she put together her own program giving all respect to the symbol of our nation.
As with all our chapter meetings, we began with prayer and soon the Boy Scout Troop was underway. Each stripe was cut and the blue star field remaining. (The blue field is never cut any smaller, it represents the 50 states as one union that should never be broken).
The flag should never be dipped to any person or thing. It is flown upside down only as a distress signal. The flag should not be used as a drapery, or for covering a speakers desk, draping a platform, or for any decoration in general. Bunting of blue, white and red stripes is available for these purposes. The blue stripe of the bunting should be on the top. The flag should never be used for any advertising purpose. It should not be embroidered, printed or otherwise impressed on such articles as cushions, handkerchiefs, napkins, boxes, or anything intended to be discarded after temporary use. Advertising signs should not be attached to the staff or halyard The flag should not be used as part of a costume or athletic uniform, except that a flag patch may be used on the uniform of military personnel, fireman, policeman and members of patriotic organizations. The flag should never have placed on it, or attached to it, any mark, insignia, letter, word, number, figure, or drawing of any kind. The flag should never be used as a receptacle for receiving, holding, carrying, or delivering anything. Ordinarily it should be displayed only between sunrise and sunset. It should be illuminated if displayed at night.
The troop cutting the stripes to retire the flag.
Next, each stripe is individually burned. When each stripe was taken to the fire a patriotic quote, the preamble, or parts of the American Creed were read. Some of these young men took the time to memorize their quote. It was very moving not only to hear these inspiring words that represent our nation, but to see each stripe burned.
A Boy Scout reading a patriotic thought before burning a stripe.
The last piece to be burned was the blue star field. Afterwards we each stood, placed our hand over our hearts and sang the National Anthem. It certainly was a day that I will not forget.
Here is some etiquette you should know about our flag. This is especially important since we in the months when many of us display and fly our flags. (You can find more information by visiting USFlag.org)
3 Classy Comments:
Thank you for this timely reminder. I am often shocked at the lack of regard shown to our Flag. I realize many operate out of ignorance but it is unfortunate that citizens are not more aware of the protocol and etiquette surrounding appropriate usage and display of the Flag.
I am sure the ceremony was quite moving. I had goose bumps reading your description and looking at the pictures.
What a beautiful ceremony! We fly a flag where I work and the wear out after about six months or so. It shocked me that some people don't realize you should never just "throw away" a flag. They have to be properly disposed of! Our American Legion has a place where you can drop off old flags to be disposed of. Thank you for this post, Nicol!
I am surprised you burn the pieces, I am sure we are not allowed to burn our Union Jack. But your other laws show a much greater amount of respect for your flag than is shown here, in fact people wear it regularly. I wonder if the athletes draping it around them when they run a lap of honour counts? - really interesting and moving posting. Thank you,
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