Article and photos by Pamela A. Moore, Harvey C. Noone Legion Family Post 954
On June 14, a Flag Retirement Ceremony was conducted at the Harvey C. Noone Legion Post located on Buffalo Road in Churchville. Before the ceremony, flags and Flag Guides donated by the Monroe County Legion Auxiliary were distributed. The ceremony featured several reflections on our flag, patriotic music, and recitation of the Pledge of Allegiance. Cub Scouts from Pack 156 and Girl Scouts from Troop 60487 assisted by inspecting the flags donated for the ceremony. Sergeant-at-Arms Tony Torcello declared all inspected flags as unserviceable. Legionnaire and retired Colonel Ken Juergens ordered that they be properly and respectfully disposed of by burning. This was followed by a benediction given by Legionnaire Dr. Rick Parsons of Cavalry Christian Fellowship.
Throughout our history, the US Flag has played a prominent role as a symbol of our freedoms. On June 14, 1777, the Second Continental Congress adopted a configuration of white stars on a blue background with alternating red and white stripes as our flag. Later, June 14 was designated as Flag Day, and a Flag Code was enacted providing rules for displaying and respecting the flag. It 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.”
In 1944, the Legion designated Flag Day as the most appropriate day to conduct a Flag Retirement Ceremony. Flag Retirement Ceremonies are an integral part of the Legion’s Americanism program because they promote the history of the flag and encourage proper respect for display and retirement.
For many years, the Harvey C. Noone Legion has collected worn flags for proper retirement. This year the Legion partnered with the Town of Riga to place a receptacle in the Town Hall lobby, where it will remain available to place worn flags throughout the year.
