Proper disposal of American flags

[Pacioli]

While purchasing a new flag today at a Baton Rouge store, I inquired about locations to drop off flags for proper disposal. They informed me they store flags for disposal. Periodically a scoutmaster will retrieve them and see to proper disposal. I proudly fly a flag in my yard and proper, respectful disposal of flags is important to me, so I'm passing along the store's name for all to know. By the way, they stock good quality flags.

Action Advertising & Flags
10699 Airline Hwy. (on the service road just west of the Mercedes dealership)
225.292.7446
Crystal, the front desk person, was helpful and cheerful.

 

[deuxlatch]

Good thread. You can also donate any old flags to your local Marine or Army reserve unit for disposal, as well as any Scout troop.

 

[508]

American Legion Halls or VFW Posts are also acceptable places.

I witnessed a flag retirement ceremony while I was in the Boy Scouts. Pretty cool!

 

[bs875]

Good info. I'm sick of seeing these post-9/11 "patriots" who leave their flags out in the rain, hanging over night, let them wear to shreds and who knows what happens if they ever do replace them. If you're going to fly the flag know how to treat it right.

http://www.senate.gov/reference/resources/pdf/RL30243.pdf

 

[SeventhSon]

Good info. I have been part of a couple flag retirements and I'm not ashamed to admit I get choked up every time.

 

[Cochise]

I got to participate in a flag retirement ceremony when I was in JROTC Honor Guard. That, and other Honor Guard ceremonies I was involved in, were some of my proudest moments.

 

[SVTFreak]

Ironically, the proper way to dispose of an old flag is to burn it. Respectfully, of course. I used to take care of the old flags we would fly over our unit.

 

[42]

info taken from where we buy all our flags - (www.aflag.com)

Ceremony of Final Tribute
This ceremony should be conducted at a private, non-public location. Only one Flag, representing all those to be destroyed, should be used in the ceremony.

Two color guards should be used at evening retreat, one for the Flag currently in use and a special color guard for the Flag to be permanently retired.

Just before sunset, the Flag that has been flying all day is retired in the normal, ceremonial procedure for the group or site.

The color guard responsible for the Flag receiving the final tribute moves front and center. The leader should present this color guard with the Flag that has been selected for its final tribute and subsequent destruction. The leader then should instruct the color guard to "hoist the colors".

When the Flag has been secured at the top of the pole, the leader comments:

"This Flag has served its nation long and well. It has worn to a condition to which it should no longer be used to represent the nation. This Flag represents all of the Flags collected and being retired from service today. We honor them all as we salute one Flag."

The leader then calls the group to attention, orders a salute, leads the entire group in the "Pledge of Allegiance" and orders the Flag retired by the color guard.

Slowly and ceremoniously, the flag is lowered, then respectfully folded in the customary triangle. The Flag is delivered to the leader and then the group is dismissed.

This concludes the Ceremony of Final Tribute.

Ceremonial Burning of the Flag

This ceremony should be conducted at a private, non-public location.

Fire and Flag Preparation:

The burning of a Flag should take place at a campfire in a ceremony separate from the Ceremony of Final Tribute. The fire must be sizable (preferably having burnt down to a bed of red hot coals to avoid having bits of the Flag being carried off by a roaring fire), yet be of sufficient intensity to ensure complete burning.

Before the ceremony begins, the color guard assigned to the Flag opens up its tri-corner fold and then refolds it in a coffin-shaped rectangle.

When all is ready:

All assemble around the fire. The leader calls the group to attention.

The color guard comes forward and places the Flag on the fire.

All briskly salute.

After the salute, but while still at attention, the leader should conduct a respectful educational program as the Flag burns: e.g. singing of "God Bless America"; offering an inspiring message of the Flag's meaning followed by the "Pledge of Allegiance"; performing a reading about the Flag; reciting the "American's Creed"; etc.

When the Flag is consumed, those assembled, with the exception of a leader and the color guard, should be dismissed. They should be led out in single file and in silence.

The leader and color guard should remain to ensure that the Flag is completely consumed, and to burn additional Flags, if any.

The fire should then be safely extinguished.
When you are ready to buy a new American Flag, be sure to check out our huge selection of American flags for sale, all made in the USA!

American Flagpole &Flag Co.
3546 Lake Elmo Ave
Suite #3
Lake Elmo, Minnesota 55042
US
Phone Number: 1 (800) 426-6235
(651) 777-0172