Old Glory Retirement Ceremony is scheduled at 10:00 am, Saturday, November 14, 2009 at Brentwood Fire Station No. 4, Sunset Road, the Brentwood American Legion Post 156 and the ROTC Honor Guards from Independence and Ravenwood High Schools will retire a number of American Flags.
When the United States flag (Old Glory) becomes worn, torn, faded or badly soiled, it is time to replace it with a new flag, and the old flag should be "retired" with all the dignity and respect befitting our nation's flag. The traditional method of retirement is to incinerate the flag, but this does not mean that one should simply drop the entire flag (intact) into a fire.
Post Commander Gary Edick, will conduct the ceremony. During the ceremony participants are not burning a flag they are retiring a symbol of America's honor, courage, and strength.
The Program for the Days Events
Post Commander - The audience will please come to order. We are gathered here for an important patriotic and solemn purpose. Chaplin, please offer an invocation.
Chaplin - Invocation
Color Guard Advances; and all recite the "Pledge of Allegiance".
Post Sergeant -At-Arms - Advances to the Commander "Commander, we wish to present a number of unserviceable Flags of our Country which have been inspected, for their disposal", Sgt-At-Arms salutes, does an about face and returns to his station.
Post First Vice-Commander - Advances to the Commander. "The present condition of these Flags is the result of their usual service as the Emblem of our Country, These flags have become faded and worn over graves of our departed Comrades and various patriotic displays from our schools, businesses and citizens".
Post Commander "Since these Flags have been inspected, what do you recommend?" Post First Vice-Commander - "Commander, since these flags have become unserviceable in a worthy cause and worn in a tribute of service and love, I recommend they be honorably retired from further service and be fittingly destroyed".
Post Commander - "Comrades, we have presented here these flags of our country which have been inspected and judged unserviceable. They have reached their present state in a proper service of tribute, memory and love. A Flag may be a flimsy bit of printed gauze, or a beautiful banner of finest silk. Its intrinsic value may be trifling or great; but its real value is beyond price, for it is a precious symbol of all that we and our comrades have worked for and lived for, and died for - a free nation of free men and women, true to the faith of the past, devoted to the ideals and practice of Justice, Freedom and Democracy. Let these faded flags of our country be retired and destroyed with respectful and honorable rites. Let no grave of our soldier, sailor or airman be unhonored and unmarked. Sgt-At-Arms, assemble the Color Guard, escort the detail bearing the flags and destroy these flags by burning. "Present Arms"
Color Guard forms. The detail about faces. Preceded by the Color Guard, the detail marches, one to the right of the fire and the other to the left.
Post Commander - "Order Arms"
Chaplain - "Almighty God, Captain of all hosts and Commander over all, bless and consecrate this present hour. We thank you for our country and its flag, and for the liberty for which it stands. To a clean and purging flame we commit these flags, worn out in worthy service. As they yield their substance to the fire, may your Holy Light spread over us and bring our hearts renewed devotion to God and Country; Amen
Post Commander - "Present Arms" Color Guards present arms. All officer and members, except those on the flag detail, salute, Members of the Flag detail place the unserviceable Flags in the burning container. After a suitable number of flags are deposited, the representatives of the Fire Department will cover them with kerosene and light the fire. This may be repeated if a large number of unserviceable Flags need retired.
Post Commander may state "Order Arms and Parade Rest" if several burnings are required. After which, the Commander will call the group to "Attention then Present Arms" and tell the Color Guard and the detail to resume its former position.
Color Guard advances to the area behind the Commander. Members of the detail resume their places among the members. Commander will "Order Arms"
Chaplin - Benediction
Commander - The ceremony is concluded. Thank you all for your patriotic participation.
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