They burned the American Flag this week, but there were no protestors, no chants, no one angry at the state of our country, but instead a solemn lesson in respect. The Cincinnati Enquirer reported Thursday that Boy Scout Troop 641 conducted the annual flag decommissioning ceremony this week at Spring Grove Cemetery. The Scouts tended a ceremonial fire of ash and oak, and slowly burned the worn, faded flags with the dignity that they deserved until all 300 flags had been reduced to ash. I’d like to commend these Scouts for this lesson in citizenship to all of us.
As a Navy vet, I truly appreciate those who desire to fly the flag and honor our country. It represents so much more than just a piece of cloth waving in the wind. There are so many sacrifices supporting our freedoms that Old Glory symbolically represents. When your flag starts showing signs of wear, please do the honorable duty of retiring your flag through the appropriate local organization. Start with the American Legion. Most posts have an annual decommissioning ceremony. If you live in Warren County and can’t find someone to take your flag, just give us a call or email and we’ll help!
Liz and I hope you have a fantastic July 4th weekend, while remembering what the holiday is about!
And to quote the sergeant from Hill Street Blues: “Let’s be careful out there!”.
Flag burning photo courtesy of The Surveyor, Flickr.com
The Liz Spear Team
Elizabeth & William Spear
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Flag burning when not done to retire faded, torn, worn out flags still bugs me when you see it done in other countires that don't send us Christmas cards
The best motivating is self-motivating.The guy says,"I wish someone would come by and turn me on."What if they don't show up?You've got to have a better plan for your life.
Jim Rohn
As an Air Force Captain, veteran, I have mixed feelings on any flag burning, whether worn or not. It breaks my heart to see any flag disposed of. However, how can you do it that it isn't such an emotional thing, other than burying it instead of burning it?
Andrew, It's hard to see that happen, but within their rights to do so.
Barbara, not sure I see the relevance?
Don, The U.S. Flag Code states, "The flag, when it is in such condition that it is no longer a fitting emblem for display, should be destroyed in a dignified way, preferably by burning". I don't know of a more fitting way to do it honor.
I think one of the reasons is because when there are riots against the US, that is the first thing they do (burn the flag), and it just leaves a deathly picture in my mind. Burning to me just doesn't seem dignified. To me it is devastating. Sounds to me the U.S. Flag Code doesn't agree.
Don,
I fully understand your viewpoint, and under the protest circumstances, it's definitely not right.
I think the Flag Code's intent is that the flag should never wind up in the garbage. I know burning is listed as the preferred method, and I haven't researched further as to what the other "approved" methods are.
I'm attaching the link to the full story from the Cincinnati Enquirer. I think the reporter did an excellent job of conveying the seriousness of the occasion and what the young Scouts were learning.
http://news.cincinnati.com/article/20100630/NEWS01/7010331/-1/TODAY/Adding-luster-to-Old-Glory
Hope you have a fantastic July 4th!
Bill
Don,
P.S., how many Called Shots did you have to get to get the badge? We've gotten four so far, just curious if they're working off percentage or raw numbers.
Liz and Bill, great post befitting July 4. I'm a military wife and very proud of my husband serving in the military. Surprising enough, I've never flown a flag.......I can never remember how to fold it properly either.
To be honest with you, I had no idea what it was for until I read this blog.
http://activerain.com/blogsview/1720459/shot-masters-here-in-activerain-what-s-a-shot-master-glad-you-asked-
To answer your question, I still don't know how I got it, it just showed up this past week.
Thanks for the mention. I hope there is some more explanation on this as we go along to clear things up.
You have a great 4th as well.
Kay, We've never been flag flyers either, but the last 20 years we live in a heavily wooded lot, no one would see it if we did! I spent four years at Annapolis, six years after as a ship driver on a couple of frigates.
Don, I'd seen the blogs on the Called Shots, but I don't know that I've seen a clear criteria on how the badge is awarded. I'll keep trying and hope to add something to our lonely Outside Blog icon!
I have a total of 8 thus far.
This is what the statement says:
What is a called shot? The number of times you've suggested a post that went on to be featured.