The flag of the United States with its 50 stars and 13 stripes flies high in front of homes, schools and businesses.
In honor of Flag Day, the American Legion Auxiliary Unit 550 in Pilot Point taught flag etiquette and the importance of properly disposing of worn flags at its Sunday celebration.
“Our flag was born on June 14, 1777,” Marine veteran Dennis Duesman read. “… It represented 13 colonies who together fought oppression so that we today could enjoy our freedom,” This year, the organization wanted to expand its reach by making it an educational yet fun experience for kids, too, by offering activities like cookie decorating, coloring books and educational material.
“There are so many times you drive around town, and flags are inappropriately displayed or they're tattered,” American Legion member Micky Nortman said. “And teaching the next generation how to treat a flag, when to fly it, how to fold it and making it fun to learn is going to be an experience that they won't forget.”
Before the flag retirement ceremony began, Nathan Sprabary, who served in both the Army and the Marine Corps, helped to demonstrate the proper way to fold the American Flag.
“It means a lot to me because the flag is what represents us, so respecting the flag is important, and it's important to teach people to respect the flag,” Sprabary said.
His hope, along with his fellow members, is to continue going out into the community to share the organization's work and to help families in need.
“The auxiliary prides ourselves on being able to help our active duty and our veterans,” said Kelli Niles, the American Legion Auxiliary Unit 550 president. “We're here, we're open to the public for anybody to come in. And if somebody needs help, as far as military, we wish that they would reach out to us, because we can't get that information. We don't know who they all are unless they come to us.”
What looked to be over a hundred flags of varying sizes and conditions lay in large bins, about a year’s worth of collection.
The Pilot Point unit is one of the only places in the surrounding area that retires flags on Flag Day, Niles said.
“We are here today to respectfully destroy these flags that have been deemed no longer serviceable,” Duesman read. “It is proclaimed that each of these flags has served us well.”
He said a key sign that it’s time to retire a flag is when it becomes shredded; other signs include severe fading, wear, tears or stains.
When that happens, flags can be brought to the American Legion or to Duesman for proper disposal.
“We just need to show respect for the flag and not throw it in the trash,” Duesman said. “That's important to me and anybody else who's served in the military.”
