Club 55 taking old U.S. flags
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March 20, 2013 |
 At
their last meeting, Bonners Ferry American
Legion Post 55 members voted to add another
service to those offered at their recently
opened Club 55, accepting for proper disposal
the old U.S. flags of Boundary County residents.
"We've always offered the service," said post
chaplain Mike Ashby, "but sometimes it was tough
for folks to track down an active Legion member
and make arrangements. Now you can drop them off
any time during Club 55 business hours."
According to U.S. Code, disposing of flags that
have been tattered from the effects of wind and
weather until they are no longer fit to proudly
wave should be a solemn affair, preferably by
burning. For most, finding the proper solemnity
due the U.S. colors can be a chore.
To the veterans of the American Legion, it is an
honor and a duty they take very seriously, with
a set of prescribed protocols they follow with
each retired flag.
First, the flag is properly folded. If you've
ever attended a military ceremony, you've likely
seen proper honors accorded the United States
flag as it is folded; it is a precision ceremony
in itself, and an honor to those soldiers
selected.
In an American Legion flag disposal ceremony, a
fire sufficiently large for the number of U.S.
flags being laid to rest is built, and after
each flag is properly folded, it is laid, not
thrown, on the fire.
Once the flags have been so laid, those in
attendance are called to attention, the burning
flags saluted. The Pledge of Allegiance is
recited and a moment of silence observed as the
flags turn to ash.
Once the flags are completely consumed, the fire
is extinguished, then the ashes are buried.
Some tattered old U.S. flags find a different
fate.
A military veteran, on request, is entitled to a
new U.S. flag for burial, but not so if that
veteran is to be cremated. In that case, again
at the veteran's request, a tattered U.S. flag
is used, incinerated along with the remains of
the veteran who died.
Club 55, 6416 Kootenai Street, Bonners Ferry, is
open from 4 to 8 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 4
p.m. to midnight Friday, and from 2 p.m. to
midnight on Saturday. |
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