PEARCY -- Lake Hamilton's JROTC program hosted an American flag retirement ceremony Saturday, allowing people from the community to properly dispose of flags that were no longer fit to be flown or displayed.
When a flag becomes ripped or tattered or otherwise unseemly, it must be retired in a formal ceremony.
The National Society Daughters of the American Revolution, VFW Post 2278 and American Legion Riders from Post 113 took part in the ceremony at Donald B. Trantham Park, each showing the students their methods of retirement.
NSDAR began by speaking about the importance and symbolism of the flag after leading the crowd in the Pledge of Allegiance. They then cut away each of the 13 stripes, one by one, to represent the original 13 colonies. While doing so, they spoke the name of each state and other patriotic phrases.
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"The flag is a symbol of our national unity," Peggy Kipp, vice regent of the John Percival Chapter, read. "But it also tells of the struggle for independence. In addition, it reminds us of a long and inseparable union, of liberty and of the sacrifice of brave men and women."
Once the flag was completely cut apart, they discussed the meaning of the field of blue and stars before gathering all the pieces and throwing them into the fire.
The American Legion Riders from Post 113 began with a reading about the flag and then provided some information on the U.S. flag code.
"I am more than just a piece of cloth shaped into a colorful design," read the work titled "I Am Your Flag" by Thomas E. Wickes Sr. "I am the silent sentinel of freedom for the greatest sovereign nation on earth."
The group inspected the flag, deeming it fit to be retired. The JROTC students then stood at attention as American Legion District 14 Commander Mike Stambough, state director of the American Legion Riders, placed the flag into a firepit. Then the group again led the crowd in the Pledge of Allegiance.
VFW Post 2278 rounded out the ceremony, also leading the Pledge of Allegiance before casting the folded flag into the fire.
After the three groups finished, the students broke off into six stations to dispose of the flags they had folded just before the ceremony. In total, the students reverently destroyed about 120 flags, the largest being a garrison flag only used for holidays and special occasions, measuring 19 feet by 38 feet.
While the next appropriate day for many flag retirement ceremonies is Flag Day on June 14, the Lake Hamilton program will host its next date around the same time next year. They also plan to set up drop-off boxes in the future. Those with flags ready for retirement can drop them off at VFW Post 2278 or American Legion Post 13.
American Legion District 14 Commander Mike Stambough, the Arkansas state director of American Legion Riders, places a flag in the fire before leading the group in the Pledge of Allegiance. - Photo by Lance Brownfield of The Sentinel-Record.
Three Lake Hamilton JROTC students work together to fold an American flag before it is ceremoniously burned. - Photo by Lance Brownfield of The Sentinel-Record.