WILMINGTON — The 1937 American Legion National Convention adopted Resolution 440 which outlined the “Ceremony for Disposal of Unserviceable Flags.”
The resolution has been amended several times since, however, the premise has remained the same: “ … to encourage proper respect for the Flag of the United States and to provide for disposal of unserviceable flags in a dignified manner.”
Wilmington Veterans Post 49 held its traditional Flag Retirement Ceremony in lieu of their first meeting (second Tuesday) in June to properly dispose of flags collected during the previous year. This year’s public ceremony was held in accordance with the American Legion Manual of Ceremonies on June 13.
The Post, located at 140 E. Locust St., has a collection box, near the rear entrance of the building, for area residents to drop off their unserviceable flags for proper, dignified disposal.
On June 14, 1777, the Second Continental Congress adopted a resolution declaring that date to be observed as “Flag Day” (the same day as the second anniversary of the formation of the Continental Army). Though Flag Day is not an official national holiday, most every veterans organization as well as many civic organizations hold ceremonies to celebrate and honor “Old Glory.”
The national office of the Veterans of Foreign Wars provides local posts with a set of guidelines for the proper, respectful procedure for retiring American flags that have become unserviceable from normal display or use.
Wilmington’s Cpl. James H. Smithson Post 6710 proudly followed those procedures on Flag Day with a very impressive program.
After the flags were deemed to have reached the point of wear that made them eligible for proper disposal, pronouncements and prayers were offered by Post Commander Richard James and Quartermaster Dennis Harris.
Each attendee then took a flag from the table where they were displayed and one by one they committed each to the purging flames until all had been properly retired from service.
VFW Post 6710 at 1130 N. Lincoln St., Wilmington, opens at 4 p.m. Monday through Saturday and accepts worn flags year-round.
