ELDRED, NY — Flag retirement is the term used to define the proper, dignified way of destroying United States flags that are no longer fit to serve the nation. On June 14, members of the American Legion Post 1363 gathered outside the legion hall to retire over 1,000 flags.

Just as there’s etiquette for displaying the American flag, there’s also etiquette for disposing of flags in a dignified manner. 

Rules on how to properly fly the flag were established in June 1923, when the National Flag Conference met in Washington. Its members created the Flag Code, which states that “the flag represents a living country and is itself considered a living thing.” 

The American Legion passed a resolution about flag retirement ceremonies in 1937, and they’ve been an important ritual ever since. According to the resolution, “The approved method of disposing of unserviceable flags has long been that they be destroyed by burning.” 

So members of American Legion Post 1363 in Eldred gathered on the evening of Flag Day, June 14, to retire an estimated 1,000 American flags. 

In accordance with Legion protocols, Post Commander George Haas determined the flags to be unserviceable, and led a brief committal service in which he prayed, “We thank Thee for our country and its flag, and for the liberty for which it stands. To clean and purging flame we commit these flags, worn out in worthy service. As they yield their substance to the fire, may thy Holy Light spread over us and bring to our hearts renewed devotion to God and Country. Amen.” 

Flags to be retired can be left at the American Legion Post on Collins Road in Eldred or at the Sullivan County transfer stations.