flag "retirement"

[allenchristian]

Unless my memory fails me, the Flag Code used to read that old flags should be disposed of preferably by burning in private. That idea should be revived. The present practice of public ceremonies, complete with taps, prayers and speeches, often followed by chopping up the flag before burning it, is grotesque. As has been pointed out, retirement of a flag is a cremation of sorts, and in this country at least, we don't set up a public pyre to cremate the bodies of our relatives.

Since various yahoos in recent years have made a public ceremony of burning the flag as a protest against whatever bothers them, we have all the more reason to avoid looking like them by publicly burning the flag.

Burn your old flags in your back yard, respectfully, quietly, and privately.

[NAVA1974]

The United States Flag code reads, "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"

There is no mention of this being done in private. The ceremonial process is just the culmination of efforts by many people (such as members of a scout group or patriotic organization) to 1) publicize the need for replacing worn out flags, 2) educate people in the proper method of disposing of flags, and 3) actually providing that public and patriotic service in a safe and respectful manner. The final ceremony is, in my opinion, a reasonable way to conclude this process. However, as I've mentioned elsewhere on this forum, there is no need to "prepare" the flag in any way by mending it or cutting it up prior to committing it to the flames.

[fast1]

burning? is there a procedure as to where to burn and stuff?

[NAVA1974]

burning? is there a procedure as to where to burn and stuff?

No such requirements. You may burn it in your backyard (subject to local laws and ordinances) or give it to a group like the VFW or Boy Scout Troop, many of which have periodic ceremonies for properly honoring and disposing of old flags by burning them.

[REDefiant]

I always hand deliver my worn out flags to my Church, where I am an avid member and enjoy sitting and listening to my preacher talk. The community there, populated primarily by virgins, is very accepting of the flags that I donate.

I feel that the only way to properly dispose of a flag is through God, and I cannot do such a thing on my own and still hold a set of morals that justify my lifestyle.

[NAVA1974]

I always hand deliver my worn out flags to my Church....

What does your church do with your worn out flags? Throw them in the dumpster? Unless they have an incinerator to handle their trash, you are just transferring the problem of respectfully disposing of your flag to someone else. If, on the other hand, your church sponsors a Scout Troop, then they would be an excellent group to handle flag disposal.

[REDefiant]

Of course my church sponsors a scout group. What kind of person do you think I am?

[NAVA1974]

Of course my church sponsors a scout group. What kind of person do you think I am?

Excellent. Does the troop have periodic ceremonies for burning the old flags they collect or do they just perform that service quietly?

[Peter Ansoff]

Unless my memory fails me, the Flag Code used to read that old flags should be disposed of preferably by burning in private.

Allen is correct. The original version of the "Flag Code," as adopted by the National Flag Conference in 1923, said:

"When the Flag is in such a condition that it is no longer a fitting emblem for display it should not be cast aside or used in any way that might be viewed as disrespectful to the national colors, but should be destroyed as a whole, privately, preferably by burning or by some other method in harmony with the reverence and respect we owe to the emblem representing our country."

I don't know offhand when it was changed to the current language, but it might have been when Congress officially adopted the code in 1942. The private aspect of flag disposal is still reflected in military regulations. For example, Army Regulation 840-10 says:

"If the unserviceable flag has historic value, a tag containing the historical information should be attached to the flag, and it should be kept as a memento of service by the unit or office to which it belongs. If there is no historic value, it should be destroyed privately, preferably by burning, shredding or some other method that does not show irreverence or disrespect to the flag."

Similarly, the Marine Corps Flag Manual says:

"Flags determined not to have historical value will be destroyed by the parent organization, privately by burning, with no suggestion of irreverence to its military or national significance, unless its retention as a display memento is desired by the organization."

The present practice of public ceremonies, complete with taps, prayers and speeches, often followed by chopping up the flag before burning it, is grotesque.

Personally, I agree. As I've said elsewhere here, I think that the ceremonial emphasis should be on raising a new flag, not ritually destroying an old one.

Peter Ansoff

[REDefiant]

Excellent. Does the troop have periodic ceremonies for burning the old flags they collect or do they just perform that service quietly?

Honestly, I am unaware of the exact specifications as to how they do the service, as I have never partook in it. I would imagine that a small ceremony would be held, but I am not for certain.