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Molino Scouts Hold Flag Retirement Ceremony (With Gallery)
June 15, 2016
Three Boy Scouts unfolded an American Flag Tuesday evening for the last time on the front lawn of Aldersgate United Methodist Church in Molino to present its colors. A group of Scouts gathered around along with their parents and said the Pledge of Allegiance to the flag…which was faded, soiled and even torn.
Cubmaster of Pack 430, Kevin Danforth, said the flag was first used to cover a coffin during a military funeral, and it was then flown in front of the church for several months. Now it was time for the tattered flag to be retired — burned after being cut into pieces of cloth. Quietly, the scouts cut the flag, leaving leaving the blue star field intact to symbolize an unbroken union.
“It ceases to be a flag when it is cut into pieces,” Danforth said.
Then the flag was placed, blue star field first followed by the stripes, into a fire burning in a half barrel. The crowd watched as the fire consumed the flag remnants, and they sang “God Bless America”. The scouts then cut numerous other worn American Flags into pieces which were also incinerated.
The flag retirement ceremony is a way American flags can be retired when they’re too worn to fly, according to the U.S. Flag Code, a set of guidelines on treating the nation’s flag respectfully.
Tuesday was Flag Day.
For a photo gallery, click here.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Comments
5 Responses to “Molino Scouts Hold Flag Retirement Ceremony (With Gallery)”
Slow Hand Salute. SEMPER FI..
Actually if the flag can be seen at night by ambient lighting an individual light is not required, an all weather flag can be flown 24 hours and civilians are not required to fly them half mast. The telescoping poles don’t lend themselves to being lowered. I respect the flag and country after 31 years in the Army and personally feel that if soilders serve in the dark and in the rain in all conditions as I have, I proudly my flag the same way with purpose and honor, at the state line in my yard. It means a lot to me and hope it inspires others. God Bless America.
. It is good to retire flags in the appropriate manner but some flags have a history and should not be retired. I have some old flags that will be preserved and never (destroyed) retired. Scouts, keep up the good work. Thank you.
I hope the owners of all the torn, faded, tattered, dirty flags I see still up on flagpoles every time I drive around the county will take note of this demonstration of the proper way to treat our flag. If you’re going to leave it up at night you’re supposed to put a light on it, too.
When I first saw this, I was a little taken back, but then I continued reading and looking at the pictures-which made me tear up.Now this is the right way a flag should be retired. I come from a military family so this warmed my heart. With all the hatred and war in our world, this was refreshing to see.
Thank you to all who were involved in this.
God Bless America!