American Flag Retirement Program
In the fall of 2015, our Post Commander noticed American flags being disposed of unceremoniously at the Alpha Ridge Land Fill. He recovered as many flags as he could for proper retirement in accordance with The United States Flag Code, Title 4, Section 8k which states: “The flag, when it is in such condition that it is no longer a fitting emblem of display, should be destroyed in a dignified way, preferably by burning.” The matter was taken up to the Howard County Veterans Council, and County Executive Allen Kittleman championed the idea of placing receptacles at the Alpha Ridge Landfill for the collection of worn American Flags. The first container was installed in November of 2015.
This public service project showed that a need existed in our community. On Saturday, March 26, 2016 the first retirement of American flags was conducted at the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post #7472. Members of American Legion Posts #156 and #300, along with VFW Post #7472, Boy Scout Troup 851 and the Civil Air Patrol worked to properly prepare Five-Hundred-Twenty-Two (522) American flags for the ceremony that properly and respectfully honors the symbol of our great nation. Post 156, along with the other organizations listed above have conducted regular American flag retirement ceremonies ever since.
For more information on this program, contact our 2nd Vice Commander, Marv Stocker at mwstocker@icloud.com.