American Legion Post 263 hosts Flag Retirement Ceremony on Flag Day

[June 16, 2022]   Tuesday June 14th was Flag Day across the country. It was on this date in 1777 that the Second United Congress of the newly independent United States of America designated that the flag of the United States should always have thirteen alternating red and white stripes recognizing the original thirteen colonies and a sea of blue with white stars numbering the states of the union.

The first official “Flag Day” was designated on June 14, 1916 by President Woodrow Wilson. In 1949 the United States Congress officially designated June 14th as National Flag Day throughout the country.

Flag Day is a time when citizens of the United States are asked to acknowledge the red, white, and blue and observe the importance of the national symbol.

In Lincoln, it was also a day to conduct a respectful retirement of worn and tattered flags by the American Legion Post 263.

Though the day was already hot at 10:30 a.m. a few people gathered to witness the ceremony. Most were members of the American Legion Auxiliary.

The ceremony is a solemn event when the Sergeant in Arms takes the flag and presents it to the First Vice-Commander who reads test questions to determine if the flag is no longer suitable for flying.

When the First Vice-Commander recommends that the flag be presented for proper disposal, the Sergeant in Arms then moves on to present the flag to the Second Vice-Commander. The Second Vice-Commander also offers a series of test questions to verify that the flag was properly utilized during its lifetime, and is now entitled to a proper military disposal.

With the flag approved for disposal by the First and Second Vice-Commanders, the sergeant in Arms then presents the flag to the Commander. The commander in turn interviews two vice commanders, seeking to determine if they have done their due diligence in verifying that the flag should be retired permanently.

When both vice-commanders answer the questions, the Commander then orders that the flag be properly disposed of by fire.

At the end of the ceremony the Legion Chaplain recited a prayer for the disposal of the flag. Then the vice commanders and other Legion members assisted in the burning of the flag.

The one flag presented was representative of a large pile of flags that have been collected since the last retirement ceremony.
 

According to federal and military law there are only two acceptable ways to dispose of a flag, by burial or by fire. The American Legion Post 263 in Lincoln has conducted numerous flag retirement ceremonies and have always utilized disposal by fire.

On Tuesday, the flags were placed on a grate behind the legion and lit a fire. Volunteers would stay with the fire until all the remnants of each flag had turned to ashes.

The Legion has a year round collection box for old and tattered flags and also sells new flags. For further details about this service to the community, speak with any American Legion member.

[Nila Smith]