Legion holds flag retirement ceremony

Eoin Flaherty of Troop 426 carries a bundle of flags to the burning rack. Photo courtesy of Kelly Flaherty.

by Marsha Chartrand

After an unseasonably warm two weeks, the temperature dropped suddenly on Friday. And so it was that on Saturday afternoon, November 12, the American Legion Post #117 held a flag retirement ceremony as snowflakes fell around the legionnaires and the Boy Scouts from Troop 426 who came to assist.

The cooler, damp weather was actually helpful, as the 1,000 flags to be burned would have caused a very large and hot fire had the weather remained warm. The nylon flags burned especially quickly and very hot. The sight was a sobering and moving reminder of the sacrifices made by all veterans in service of their country, which is what we remember and celebrate on Veterans Day.

The ceremony was held between the tank and the garage at the back of the Legion property near the river. Many people passing by on Adrian Street stopped briefly to observe and pay their respects. Others pulled in to the parking lot and stayed to watch.

Participating Boy Scouts from Troop 426 included Ryan Amrhien, Cameron Adams, and Eoin Flaherty. Legionnaires and Scout parents also helped with the task, making short work of the many flags and completing the retirement ceremony within about an hour.

Ashes mixed with snowflakes falling around the specially made racks for flag burning. The act of proper disposal of unserviceable American flags is prescribed in the U.S. Flag Code. Photo by Marsha Chartrand

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by Marsha Chartrand

Marsha Johnson Chartrand, a founder, writer, and copy editor with the Manchester Mirror, is a 50-year resident of Manchester. She has a long history of volunteer and community involvement.