Proper Disposal of the American Flag

[EmailPoster]

There was an article about proper disposal of the american flag in the...

There was an article about proper disposal of the american flag in the
Sacramento Bee last week. I don't believe burning is an option in Sacramento. If
you could forward me information on other options in this area I would
appreciate it/
Pat Rodone

[TripleA]

The US Flag Code states "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". As long as it is a respectful disposal it is acceptable. But, for your best options, allow an organization that does this on a regular basis to do it for you. Where you are located you should have no trouble locating any of the groups I am about to mention.

Girl Scouts of America
Boy Scouts of America
Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW)
The American Legion
ANY MILITARY INSTALATION

You can also contact flagkeepers.org and they will supply you with an address to mail your flag to for disposal. If you can not contact any of the following groups in your area and dispose of your flag on your own, please do so in a quiet respectful manner that OUR Flag deserves. If by some chance none of the above helps you, repost ATTENTION TRIPLEA and I will make arrangements to retrieve the flag form you and ensure its proper disposal.

[Big O]

Hello all,
Big O here, from middle Tennessee. Have been unable to contact Flagkeepers to report for duty. Nevertheless, we here protect and defend the flag to the best of our abilities. We replace worn flags which are no longer serviceable, repair and repaint flagstaffs where necessary, and generally endeavor to ensure that Old Glory is well and properly represented in this region.We encourage our fellow Americans to bring any such needs to our attention.
We will be conducting a flag retirement ceremony in celebration of Memorial Day, 2007. All Americans will be welcome.
Those who wish to attend may contact me at-
bigo1776@hotmail.com
Sincerely.
Big O

[Steelfan36]

Hey, I'm a Boy Scout in Northern Virginia. I want to do a Flag drive for my Eagle Project. It would involve collecting old flags and properly disposing of them. Can anyone recomend a specific ceremony that can dispose of many flags all at once or rapidly but still in a respectful manner? Also, can anyone reccomend a place to take the flags in the Washington DC/Northern Virginia/Southern Maryland area?

Please email me with your suggestions at brn2hntdinos@gmail.com

Thanks for your help!

[CHAZTMO]

I would like all readers to know that the VFW, Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States, disposes of the American Flag through a dignified and honorable ceremony. All VFW post will gladly accept your torn or weathered flags, and if they don't do the ceremony, they will ensure it makes it to a post that does.

Commander VFW Post 10722

[milton71@dishmail.net]

to whom it may concern,
I feel that when it comes to burning the flag, ONLY military org should be the only ones to burn the flag. NOT the Boy Scouts or Girl Scouts. They have not benn living long enough to know or learn. If they want to help they should help
by getting with any military org and watching them.

[american_flag_uk]

milton - welcome to the site

i believe this view of yours is wrong

the scouts SHOULD be learning proper disposal- and i believe that this - along with other respect for the flag should be taught in schools to educate the young Americans into treating the flag correctly

they will know and they will learn if shown properly how to do so by the scout leaders
from what ive seen - the scouts conduct very respectful ceremonies and people should be proud of them for that

[Rockdude_UK]

At the end of the day, is just a flag. Its no different spraying up a demo derby car in the american flag

[american_flag_uk]

what? have u got anything useful to add here?

[Greg Smith]

Not to brag I had nothing to do with the first one, I was born on the 4th of July, I also served my country for 20+ years in the Air Force. So I have an undying love for this country and my flag, that being said I would like to inform you that the boys scouts etc. in our local area would prefer not to receive the flags for disposal. They do it occasionally and do not want it to become an “oh great another boring flag burning” but the ones I have witness’d were done with military personal in white gloves and dignity a very moving ceremony for myself. But I have found after installing my own 20 ft. flag pole in my yard the company I bought it thru “Colonial Flag” does accept and dispose of them with respect. Getting back to the girl and boys scouts not being old enough, yes they are young and don’t know what this flag means to the older veterans etc. but they can learn as they watch the older ones of us pass on our remembrance of what the flag means to us. As was done at the burning of the flags I observed while I was young.