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Retiring The Flag ... Respectfully

by on ‎06-21-2011 01:16 PM

There are a few times each year when I love to wave our flag in remembrance of the heritage that makes us free. The Fourth of July is certainly one of those times.

 

Not so much the physical act of waving the flag ... I fly a flag everyday at my home. But rather showing a deep sense of pride in living under our flag and benefiting from the freedoms our country provides our citizens.

 

Included in this sense of pride is being certain that our flag is being flown respectfully and especially that our flag is retired properly when the fabric becomes tattered or worn.

 

According to The United States Flag Code, "The flag, when it is in such condition that it is no longer a fitting emblem of display, should be destroyed in a dignified way, preferably by burning."

 

Please don't be confused!

 

This is not "burning the flag" ... rather it is respectfully retiring the flag, using flame to completely consume the material.
 

My Store entrusts me with the proper retirement of flags ... a duty I accept with pride.

 

Preparing the flag to be respectfully retired is a labor of love ... first the stars are removed from the field of blue, and then the stripes are separated into individual colors.

 

A ceremony is conducted in which the leader may say, "This flag has served its nation well. It is now worn to a condition in which it should no longer be used to represent the nation. Through this flag retirement ceremony, we honor the service rendered by this flag as well as those who have served under it."

 

Attendees are often invited to take one piece of the of the disassembled flag and place it into a cauldron of fire ... stars first, then stripes, then the field of blue ... until the flag is completely consumed by flame.

 

So this Fourth of July, when the fireworks a bursting in the early evening sky, take time to remember the words of our National Anthem ... "And the rockets' red glare, the bombs bursting in air, gave proof through the night that our flag was still there."

 

I'll bet you'll feel like waving the flag too!

 

And when your flag is worn to a condition that it should no longer represent our country, seek out community-based associations like the Boy Scouts of America, Veterans of Foreign Wars, or the American Legion. They will gladly accept the flag for proper, respectful retirement.

 

 

 

You'll find flags online at www.HomeDepot.com (use the key word Flag) and in the Garden Department at the Store.

Comments
by on ‎09-29-2011 11:30 AM
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Pat, thank you for the insight on retiring the flag. I hope more people read this blog. I have a few flags that need to be retired respectfully.

by ‎10-04-2011 07:35 AM - edited ‎10-04-2011 08:58 AM
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Foodieken

 

When we show respect for our flag, it is an outward sign that we respect our country ... and those that served.

 

The Home Depot is observing those that serve right now ... "2011 Celebration of Service - Serving Those That Served Us." The observation is from September 11 through Labor Day.

 

I can't think of a better time to learn (and practice) how to respectfully retire our flag.

 

In fact, I think it is an outstanding time to take a close look at the flag each of us fly at our homes and offices ... to simply ensure that if it needs retiring, it gets a respectful retirement and a suitable replacement.

 

In the past 60-days, my store has entrusted me with two additional flags that they proudly flew over the store. I accepted them along with the commitment to ensure they are respectfully retired.

 

If anyone would like more details about retiring their flag, follow up here and we'll get you the details you need.

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About the Author
  • I have been an associate with The Home Depot for ten years and specialize in preparation and application of the full line of interior and exterior paints and stains sold by The Home Depot. I teach DIY Paint classes in faux finishing, wall and trim painting, furniture refinishing, and deck and hardwood floor resurfacing. Every day, I demo products sold under the Martha Living, Behr, Glidden, and Minwax brands. I assist pro-painters with specialty products like Graco Paint Sprayers, commercial-grade product selection, and order-only products for refinishing swimming pools. As a personal (not for hire) venture, I renovate homes and work with a cross-section of building materials from all departments at The Home Depot. I help customers with their entire project and often “walk” customers to departments all across the store to demonstrate products, services, and tools. In the local community, I served as a Scout Master in Boy Scouts of America for more than six-years. My son, an Eagle Scout and recipient of The Homer Fund Scholarship, is an Engineering student at Georgia Tech. My daughter is a guitar enthusiast, performed in the Color Guard with her High School Band, and was recently selected as a member of the University of Alabama Color Guard ... Roll Tide! She is enrolled in the School of Engineering. My personal interests include retriever training, fly fishing, outdoor food preparation and countless other outdoor activities. I also enjoy well-prepared seafood and listening to the waves crash onto the beautiful white sands of the Gulf Coast. I am a Founding Member of the East Cobb Chapter of Ducks Unlimited, whose resources are devoted toward conservation of wetlands. Based upon my customers’ feedback, I am the recipient of multiple Platinum Awards; THD’s landmark award for excellence in customer service.