Attention Lowellville Rod and Gun Club Members

                During the September, 2010 regular meeting on September 1, 2010 we will host a flag retirement ceremony.  Flags (State or National), which are no longer serviceable can be brought to the club at any time between now and our September meeting.  Please place your flag in the box, which will have an announced dedicated location at the June meeting.  Boy Scouts from New Springfield Troop 119 will officiate the flag retirement ceremony during the September meeting to honorably retire all flags requiring retirement.

What is needed to perform a flag ceremony and why.

"Our Flag" states: "When the national flag is worn beyond repair, burn it thoroughly and completely on a modest, but blazing fire. This should be done in a simple manner with dignity and respect. Be sure the flag is reduced to ashes unrecognizable as a former flag

To the burial fire we add ...

REDWOOD: To remind us of the red-blooded Americans who fought and died to build our nation under this flag. To remind us of the red-blooded Americans who fought and died to build our nation under this flag.

OAK:  For rugged strength that carried the flag across this nation and today reaches for the stars.

CEDAR:  To protect us from pestilence and corruption and preserve our American way of life.

WALNUT: To remind us of the rich soil, the beautiful countryside and the fruitful brotherhood founded by our ancestors.
We have developed a tradition of retiring a flag at the end of each Court of Honor. Prior to the ceremony, say a couple of hours, we put the flag, folded in the tricorn, into a large enough "Zip-Loc" bag. We put about 2 tablespoons of isopropyl (rubbing) alcohol into the bag to soak into the flag. This gives encouragement to the flame and makes a nice blue tinted flame. We've learned by experience (and many singed arms) not to use any more that 2 Tbs. The several hours is important to thoroughly soak the flag. I suppose charcoal lighter fluid would work just as well.

We explain the ceremony to calm the fears of anyone who is unfamiliar with it. We tell them that when a flag is beyond repair, it cannot be thrown into the trash like garbage, and that it is traditionally retired by burning. We then read something about the flag. Woods Wisdom has a couple of good ones to start with. The color guard (at least 4 older scouts) advances to the campfire and unfolds the flag. The command "Display the colors" is given, and the color guard holds the flag so it can be seen. Then the command "Hand Salute" is given. Then "Retire the colors." The color guard respectfully lowers the

flag into the fire, ensuring that ALL of the flag is within the fire ring and on the fire. Hand salute is held throughout this part of the ceremony. As the flame burns down, the command, "Bugler, Sound Taps," is given. When Taps is over, "Two" is given. Then everyone is thanked for coming to the COH, and "Drive safely." It's hard to follow the retirement with anything, so we make it last.

Just a simple piece of colored cloth, sewn together in a red, white, and blue design. A piece of cloth that of itself does nothing more than hang or blow in the wind. But to many thousands of people though out our nations glorious history, it has stood tall, standing as a monument of Freedom , for all Americans. Men and woman have given their lives for it, fought for it, cried for it, and revered it as a symbol for the greatest country on earth. Books, songs, and poems have been written for it, and our National Anthem was inspired by it. Each day our children are encouraged to pledge their allegiance to it, and when ever it is raised or passes by, we all place our hands over our hearts or salute it. It stands for the freedom we all share and the pride and patriotism we feel for our country.

But when the flag has served its usefulness and no longer is suitable to represent our country, it must be retired and replaced. I have found very little written concerning an actual flag retirement ceremony. I have seen several done, and I have performed several myself, and although all were done with dignity and evoked great emotion, I believe that a task of this magnitude warrants a well thought out plan and a guide to properly dignify this event. The only "official" resource that I was able to find was in the United States Code that simply states:

" Soiled flags may be renovated by either washing or dry cleaning. Worn out flags should be destroyed in a dignified manner, preferably by burning."

The importance of this act, and the pride and emotions that it evokes make it a very powerful event that can serve as a reminder of our National Pride and help instill the values brought forth in developing good citizenship in our youth.

With this in mind, the retirement of our nations flag then becomes a heavy responsibility that must be addressed with the proper respect and dignity it deserves. I offer the following as a guide and resource towards this end.

 To all members of the club we are in anticipation of making this a annual event in conjunction with the scout troops for our September meeting. We are locating a box in the front of the hall to place all flags that are in need of being retired to assist the scouts for the retirement service.  If you have any flag please utilize the monthly meeting and or any time you are at the club to deposit your flays so we can get them to the scouts.

Thank you,

Gene Apgar