News : American Legion Retires Flags

Craig Streeter and Post Commander Ron Albright drape flags set to be disposed of.

Sandy Driscol holds the only Iowa Flag

The flags are draped and ready to be burned.

Fiery bunting

The George G. Luckey Post 57 American Legion held their annual flag disposal ceremony on Monday evening which was also Flag Day. All of the flags set to be destroyed were the stars and stripes except one flag for the state of Iowa.

Part of the ceremony reads, "A Flag may be a flimsy bit of printed gauze or a beautiful banner of the finest silk. Its intrinsic value may be trifling or great; but its real value is beyond price, for it is a precious symbol of all that we and our comrades have worked for and lived for, and died for a free Nation of free men, true to the faith of the past, devoted to the ideals and practice of Justice, Freedom, and Democracy.

"Let these faded Flags of our Country be retired and destroyed with respectful and honorable rites and their places be taken by bright new Flags of the same size and kind."

The short ceremony is followed by the prayer, "Almighty God, Captain of all hosts and Commander over all, bless and consecrate this present hour.

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."

The song, "To the Colors" is then played.