US Flag Retirement
While most of us know never to dispose of a tattered U.S. flag by throwing it in the garbage, many are unaware of the most appropriate way in which to retire a U.S. flag that is no longer fit to serve as a symbol of our country. On Dec. 22, 1942, the 77th Congress approved Public Law 829. This gave official sanction to most of the provisions of the Flag Code, the set of rules of civilian flag courtesy first formulated by the National Flag Conference in 1923, including the Flag Code § 176(k) on disposal of unserviceable flags.
Per the U.S. Flag Code, “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.” While the code is not specific about the procedure for burning the flag, a ceremony that retires the flag in a patriotic and respectful way is acceptable.
Many organizations such as American Legion posts, American Veterans of Foreign Wars posts, and scout troops typically hold flag retirement ceremonies on Flag Day, June 14th. However, flag retirement can be done as a family activity according to the National Flag Foundation. If retiring the flag as a family, the following steps might be considered:
1. Gather the family as a group and raise the flag on a pole or staff or hold it aloft by hand.
2. Call the group to attention, salute and recite the Pledge of Allegiance.
3. The leader then may say, “This flag has served its nation well and long. It is now worn to a condition in which it should no longer be used to represent the nation. We pay honor to this flag for the service it has rendered.”
4. Fold the flag into a triangle. To do this, fold the flag in half width-wise twice. Fold up a triangle, starting at the striped end … and repeat … until only the end of the union is exposed. Then fold down the square into a triangle and tuck inside the folds.
5. Give the flag to the group leader who will burn it until it is completely consumed.
An alternate retirement ceremony that involves cutting the flag apart rather than folding it can also be considered:
Step 1: Keep the flag off the ground and cut the stars out of the canton. (Be careful not to cut the blue field of stars as it is symbolic of the union of the fifty states and the union should never be broken).
Step 2: Cut the stripes apart.
Step 3: With dignity, put the stripes into the fire.
Step 4: Let the material burn completely.
Step 5: Place the canton into the fire and let it burn completely.
Patriotic music and singing are also appropriate additions to these ceremonies.
Category: US Flag Etiquette
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