Jonesboro, AR – (JonesboroRightNow.com) – July 30, 2024 – Many Americans like to fly an American flag outside their homes, businesses, and places of work. But when it gets old, worn, and tattered, throwing an American flag away is considered disrespectful.
So, how should one properly dispose of an American flag?
In June 1923, the National Flag Conference met in Washington and created the United States Flag Code. Under the Flag Code the “flag represents a living country and is itself considered a living thing.” In 1937 the American Legion officially passed a resolution about flag retirement ceremonies, “the approved method of disposing of unserviceable flags has long been that they be destroyed by burning.”
One of the easiest ways for you to respectfully dispose of an old American flag is to find a flag disposal box. Many state and county government buildings, Veterans of Foreign Wars posts, and police stations will have a flag disposal box or another way of collecting old flags.
Various organizations, such as the National Association of Counties, American Legions, VFWs, Girl Scouts, and Boy Scouts will collect flags when disposal boxes are full and hold flag retirement ceremonies. Flag retirement ceremonies typically are held on June 14, Flag Day. This is considered the most appropriate day to hold flag retirement ceremonies, which are often held at night.
When an American Legion ceremony is taking place, participants are to stand aligned in two parallel rows facing each other. Opposite of the Legion commander and beyond the rows, a small fire burns. Flags that aren’t serviceable are presented to the Legion commanders; they inspect the flags to ensure that they should be disposed of. Once it is determined that a flag reached its current worn state due to proper service of tribute, memory, and love, a color guard presents the flag, and a chaplain offers prayers. As participants salute, the flag is dipped into kerosene and placed on a rack over the fire. During the ceremony a bugler sounds “To the Colors.” The flag should be fully burned, and once it has been fully burned, the fire is extinguished.
If you are unable to get your old and worn flag to a flag disposal box, there are ways you can properly dispose of it at home. The easiest way to properly dispose of a flag at home is to bury it in a wooden box. While burning is the preferred method of disposing of a flag, for flags made of nylon, polyester, or other fabrics that can’t be safely burned, burial is the best method. To do this, start by properly folding your American flag into the ceremonial triangle shape, and place it in a wooden box. Bury the box a few feet below the ground and hold a moment of silence.
If your flag is made of a material that can be safely burned, you can opt to hold your own flag burning ceremony. Gather friends, family, and community members, consider sharing things that make you proud of the United States, then respectfully place the flag in the flames. Wait for the flag to be fully burned before extinguishing the fire.
There is a flag depository mailbox located at the Craighead County Courthouse in Downtown Jonesboro. The box can be accessed off Union near the “walkover” to the Courthouse annex.