Post members, Auxiliary members, family, and friends commemorated those who have gone before us and veterans who are still serving and retired.  As we honor our veterans, we also honor our flag and what it means to our veterans, their families and our country.

 

Flags have been collected for the last year from cemeteries, businesses, and residential owners that could no longer fly them because they were no longer serviceable.

 

Veterans of the Army, Marines, Navy, Air Force, and Coast Guard were represented at the ceremony.

 

After the fire died down and was put out, the ashes of the flags were buried behind the veterans' memorial at the VFW Post.

 

Throughout the year, if anyone has an unserviceable flag, they are free to drop it off at the VFW Post, 3190 N. Clare Ave. Harrison MI.

 

To honor the American Flag there are procedures to follow: 

        1. The Flag should be folded in its customary manner.  A trifold fashion with the 13 folds in mind.

        2.  It is important that the fire be fairly large and of sufficient intensity to ensure complete burning of the flag.

        3.  Place the flag on the fire, a proper ceremonial fire.

        4.  The individual(s) can come to attention, salute the flag, place a hand on their heart, and/or recite the Pledge of Allegiance and have a brief period of silent reflection.

        5.  After the flag is completely consumed the fire should be safely extinguished and the ashes buried.

 

June 14th is Flag Day every year.  It commemorates the adoption of the United States flag by the Second Continental Congress on June 14, 1777.  While the day was first observed nationally in 1877, it wasn't until 1916 that President Woodrow Wilson officially proclaimed June 14 as Flag Day.  It became a national holiday in 1949 when President Harry Truman signed it into law.