U.S. Flags Retired in Blaze of Glory

Veterans destroy retired U.S. Flags. (photo by Hailey Brown)

By Hailey Brown

(Oskaloosa, Iowa) – Although a startling sight to behold, the American Flag on fire is not always an act of protest or sign of disrespect to the nation. The burning of old flags is also recognized as the proper way of retiring worn and tattered flags, no longer fit to be flown. This act is also known as an “unserviceable flags ceremony”.

Such a ceremony was held at the VFW in Oskaloosa on Thursday, June 14. Veterans gathered outside of the VFW and battled changing winds as they burned many worn flags from the area that had been given for such a ceremony. This service coincided with Flag Day and many American Legion posts around the country hold their unserviceable flags ceremony on Flag Day.

According to their official website, the purpose of the American Legion adopting this ceremony was to encourage proper respect for the Flag of the United States and to provide for disposal of unserviceable flags in a dignified manner.

While the veterans did the actual burning of the flags and held the ceremony, many stood by to watch with respect, careful to avoid the smokey winds. Although a somber job, the veterans were able to make light work of it, taking turns with putting various American Flags on the flames as well as the State of Iowa flags and other national-themed flags.