By Quinn O’Hara

Photo by Quinn O’Hara

On Friday, June 14, several members of the Clay Center Elks Lodge #2253, American Legion Post #101, and Clay Center Scouts gathered at the Clay County Fairgrounds to retire American flags.

The following ceremony included discussion between scouts and members of the American Legion in which the flags were inspected and recommended to be honorably retired by burning. Those in attendance then lined up and took turns laying the worn flags on a fire. Jeanna Francella, the incoming Legion Auxiliary President, said the ceremony is held each year on Flag Day.

The Ceremony for Disposal of Unserviceable Flags was formally outlined by the American Legion in 1937 and has been a major part of the organization’s rituals ever since.