Proper Disposal of the American Flag
According to the Disabled American Veterans, “Nothing evokes such strong emotion as seeing the flag, either at a ceremony honoring a great event or draped over a coffin as a sign of mourning for a hero or loved one.” Because the American flag is a national symbol deserving of reverence, the Flag Protection Act of 1989 states, “The flag, when it is in such condition that it is no longer a fitting emblem for display, should be destroyed in a dignified way, preferably by burning.”
History of Flag Burning
The United States Supreme Court decided in 1989 in favor of the rights of Gregory Johnson, convicted of violating Texas law by burning a U.S. flag. 1990 brought a similar Supreme Court decision, prompting Congress to attempt passing an amendment to the U.S. Constitution, granting the right for states to pass such laws and uphold them.
Significance
For our military veterans, the stripes of the American flag represent servicemen who did not survive that battle. Veterans of all branches of the military are pained at the sight of the flag disrespected with improper disposal. Several times each year, and especially on Flag Day, disabled veterans nationwide gather as volunteer honor guards to perform proper retirement ceremonies. Ceremonial rituals are typically performed in silence, with the exception of the leader, and closed off from the public as a form of respect for fallen servicemen and veterans. Proper destruction of the U.S. flag includes a ceremony, which follows strict guidelines set forth by the Flag Code. “The flag, when it is in such condition that it is no longer a fitting emblem for display, should be destroyed in a dignified way, preferably by burning,” according to the Flag Code of the United States of America.
Ceremonial Dress
Veterans gather dressed in black pants, black patent leather shoes and while button-down honor guard shirts bearing their state honor guard patch and an American flag patch woven on the sleeves. On one side, a gold braid is attached. A variety of American flags are burned during ceremonies and a special hand salute is given to flags that once flew over federal and state buildings.
Ceremony of Final Tribute
The flag is folded in its customary manner, carefully in a triangle to serve as a reminder of the triangular hats worn by our Revolutionary War patriots. Properly folded, the flag displays only the blue field of the Union and its stars on both sides. Folding the flag in such a fashion symbolizes the safekeeping of the flag throughout the dark of night. Even during a flag burning ceremony, the flag should never touch the ground.Two color guards should be present for the flag burning ceremony, one for the representative flag and a special color guard specifically for the flags being retired from service. Just before sunset, the color guard will retire the representative flag that has been flying all day in their normal ceremonial procedure. After the flying flag has been retired, the special color guard moves forward to perform final tribute to all flags present. At this time, a flag scheduled for destruction is raised and secured at the top of the flagpole. The ceremony leader opens the ceremony by stating that the flag has served its nation and is now worn to a condition in which it should no longer be used as a representation of the United States of America. The leader will also state that this particular flag represents all the flags collected for retirement from service on that particular day.After calling the crowd to attention, the ceremony leader orders a salute, leads the Pledge of Allegiance, and orders the flag retired by the color guard. The color guard lowers the flag that was hoisted slowly and ceremoniously. The flag is respectfully folded and delivered to the leader. Those in attendance are dismissed by the leader The Ceremony of Final Tribute is now concluded and the Ceremonial Burning begins.
Ceremonial Burning
The flag-burning fire should be outdoors, sizable and sufficiently intense to ensure complete burning of the flag. It is preferred that the fire be left to burn down to a bed of red hot coals to avoid a roaring fire carrying off bits of the burning flag. The color guard opens up the folded flag and refolds it in a coffin shaped rectangle. Once all preparations are made, the group is assembled around the fire and the leader calls the group to attention. The color guard approaches and places the flag on the fire while all in attendance briskly salute. After saluting, the group remains at attention as the leader conducts a memorial service, which often includes singing “God Bless America”. The leader offers an explanation of the flag’s meaning and leads the group in the Pledge of Allegiance.Once the fire mostly consumes the flag, the leader excuses all but the color guard. The group is expected to depart in a silent, single-file line. After confirming that the flag is totally consumed, the fire is safely extinguished and the ashes are buried. The leader and color guard, immediately following the Ceremonial Burning, destroy the remaining flags collected for destruction in an incinerator.
