Bagley American Legion holds “Ceremony for Disposal of Unserviceable Flags”
The celebration of America’s 250th in Bagley was the perfect time for the Bagley American Legion to perform the solemn duty of retiring USA flags that have been collected this past year that are no longer useable, disposed of in a dignified flag disposal ceremony. Flag disposal ceremonies are often held annually on Flag Day, however, other major holidays and milestones are also used.
At some point, every flag will reach its end. It will become faded, the wind will cause the fly end to fray, tears and stains that cannot be repaired or cleaned may happen. Flags that have reached this stage are no longer the emblem it once was. Flying a flag, that is tattered honors no one. The act of replacing it is an active respect.
Most American Legions, VFW’s, Scout Troops, and civic organizations such as city halls, Elks Lodges, libraries etc across American have proper containers to bring the flag. The receptacle at the Bagley Legion is located in the foyer, right as you enter.
The United States 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. “Dignified" means the retirement is treated as a ceremony, not a chore. "Preferably" acknowledges that burning is the tradition. A flag retired with care and respect has been retired correctly.
The “Ceremony for Disposal of Unserviceable Flags” was passed by the 19th National Convention of the American Legion, September 1937. This ceremony has been an integral part of the American Legion since that time.
American Legion Irvin Blix Post 16-Bagley Commander Jeremy Swenson conducted the ceremony and the dignified disposal of our tattered and worn flags. During the ceremony the flags are each inspected and if deemed unserviceable as described above flags in a tribute of service and love, be honorably retired from further service and to be fittingly destroyed.
The flags to be destroyed were then presented to the Honor Guards Frank and Mike for disposal. They were assisted by the Bagley American Legion Juniors and a local scout troop. Each flag was presented to a honor guard and one by one placed in the burning barrels.
Once burned the Commander concluded the ceremony, adding “A flag may be a flimsy bit of printed gauze or a beautiful banner of finest silk. Its intrinsic value may be trifling or great; but its real value is beyond price, for it is a precious symbol of all that we have worked for and lived for, and died for — a free nation of free men and women, true to the faith of the past, devoted to the ideals and practice of justice, freedom and democracy.”
Though not read at the ceremony, this profound prayer found on legion.org is a fitting tribute to this ceremony.
“We thank Thee for our Country and its Flag, and for the liberty for which it stands. “To clean and purging flame we commit these Flags, worn out in worthy service. As they yield their substance to the fire, may Thy Holy Light spread over us and bring to our hearts renewed devotion to God and Country. Amen.”
(Legion.org, nationalflagfoundation.org)