Flag retirement set for June 14

LEDGER FORUM

   Now hear this. For those patriotic Americans who chose to display those American flags in honor of the World Trade disaster, and on into the war against the terrorists in the Middle East, there is a message in this letter.
   Look around your home or your place of business, and make a determination as to the condition of that American flag that you so proudly hailed in support of the victims of the disaster and our military men and women now trying to cancel out this world of trouble.
   Because of the inclement weather, some of these treasurers of America the Beautiful have reached the point where they are no longer in a condition to represent this great country of ours.
   If your flag is now either tattered, torn, soiled or faded, it is time to remove it from view.
   Please, don’t throw it in the trash. There is an honorable method of ending the life of this banner of freedom.
   The U.S. Flag Code, (PL. 94-344) allows that the colors of our nation, should be retired with honor and dignity when they become old and unsightly.
   In a respectful and solemn ceremony, you can expedite this retirement by burning Old Glory with a salute, then place the ashes in the earth and cover them.
   To save you from that detail, inquire at your local Veteran’s Post, they conduct a retirement ceremony each year, where Old Glory is given a military retirement and burial.
   This year on June 14, the Lawrence Township Veteran’s Memorial Committee will conduct such a ceremony for the many hundreds of American Flags that have reached that age of retirement.
   A birthday party for the Stars and Stripes will be held at the Lawrence Senior Center on Darrah Lane beginning at 10 a.m. Veteran’s of Foreign Wars Post 3022 and American Legion Post 414 will perform. There will be songs by children and a soloist. This will be followed by the retirement of hundreds of American flags.
   We, the war veterans of America’s many wars, are of the opinion that the burning of our nation’s colors is not a sight that should be witnessed by true Americans, especially by children, so we have arranged that although there will be a flag burning in front of those attending, the spectators will not see the Star Spangled Banner go down in flames.
   We invite any and all patriots of this area to come and enjoy the band music, the words of dedication, the songs, and to say a fond "well done" to our nation’s colors.
   If you intend to attend, bring along a flag for retirement.