[sla011308]

What is the historical significance of burning the American flag for proper disposal? In other words, why is this the method for disposing of a flag that is in poor condition for display?

[NAVA1974]

I believe the point is to ensure that a worn flag is not simply 'trashed' or reused in a disrespectful manner. I heard at one time that the Royal Navy recycled old flags and used them as cleaning rags. Clearly this would violate most American's sense of honor regarding our own flag.

[sla011308]

I understand why a worn flag would be burned for disposal. I'm trying to find out when, or why, in our country's history did this become the correct procedure for disposal? What happened in our great history, that someone said "we need to burn our old flags for disposal". Was it a famous battle or a high ranking general that decided this was the proper procedure to dispose of a worn American flag?

[NAVA1974]

The earliest documented reference I can recall is the United States Flag Code that was issued on June 14, 1923, by the National Flag Congress. That group was made up of representatives of the Army, Navy, and numerous patriotic organizations from across the nation. The participants hammered out the first nationwide set of "do's and don'ts" for the flag. It included how the flag should be displayed in various situations, how to treat it with respect, and prohibited its use in advertising. It also said that a wor out flag should be destroyed respectfully, preferably by burning.

Sounds to me like a committee discussed various options and practices, and decided that worn flags obviously must be treated with respect, but there may have been some disagreement about the "burning" part, since such an act in public would have been seen as a protest.

It wasn't until 1942 that Congress got around to adopting the Flag Code for the nation. the Code did not, and still doesn't, have the effect of law - it is just a set of recommendations. Violations of the flag code, like wearing the flag as an outfit, or burning the flag in protest, have been upheld by the Supreme Court.

[sla011308]

Thank you for the information, I really do appreciate it. My wife's little brother is joining the Boyscouts and we have asked if they properly dispose of worn American flags. I haven't heard anything back yet, but the question came up about who, why, and when this method was approved.