Retire with respect

The Platte Valley VFW 6125 and Angus England American Legion Post 54 will be hosting a retirement flag ceremony on September 12 at 1 p.m. at Grandview Park in Encampment.

Retiring flags which are no longer usable will be accepted at Town and Country Realty in Saratoga or at Good Things in Encampment.

Flags should never be thrown away, Commander Jason Campbell, said. They should be respectfully retired by burning them, then burying the ashes and grommets. 

According to the US Flag Code, the preferred method for retiring a damaged American flag is burning. This doesn’t mean that you should toss it into an open fire, however. The flag should be folded military style into the traditional triangle fold, at which point it can then be carefully lowered into the fire while those around take a moment to salute and honor it.  Some organizations may say the Pledge of Allegiance during this moment.

While it is not illegal to throw away a flag, the VFW offers options for those who want to dispose of the unusable flags in a honored manner.

Refreshments will be served after the ceremony.

The VFW 6125 held the last retirement ceremony in 2013.