On Sept. 12, Ronceverte American Legion Greenbrier Post 26 will hold its annual Flag Disposal Ceremony at the Island Park Amphitheater in Ronceverte. The Flag Disposal Ceremony is a service provided for the community but it is also an integral part of the programs the American Legion offers within the community.
The disposal of the American Flag is never an insignificant event. The American Flag should never be placed in the trash or the dump. Its intrinsic value to America’s ideals should never be desecrated by foolishly disposing of worn and faded flags in the wrong way. The unserviceable flags have served an honorable benefit service while being on public display for all to view and reminds us of the honor and freedoms we have within our country.
The American Legion’s Resolution No. 440 was passed by the 19th National Convention of the American Legion in 1937. A set of rules popularly known as the Flag Code was first formulated by the National Flag Conference meeting in Washington, June 14-15, 1923. The Flag Code was an attempt by prominent patriotic organizations to collect together in one statutes, executive orders, and rules of established custom and usage relating to the U.S. flag. On Dec. 22, 1942, the 77th Congress approved Public Law 829, giving official sanction to most of the provisions of the Flag Code. This public law established the Flag Code in Title 36, U.S. Code, Chapter 10, Sections 173-178, including the Flag Code§ 176(k) on disposal of unserviceable flags. The Code suggests that, “when a flag has served its useful purpose, it should be destroyed, preferably by burning.” For individual citizens this should be done discreetly so that the act of destruction is not perceived as a protest or desecration.
Flags can be deposited at any time in the postal style box positioned at the back entrance of the Clifford Armory/Ronceverte Recreational Center. American Legion Greenbrier Post 26 annually collects these flags and disposes of them in the proper and respectful manner. The public is welcome to the Flag Disposal Ceremony which will begin at 5 p.m. Anyone requiring information should contact Dept. Vice Commander Burdette at 304-661-4979 or by email at bburdette3@frontier.com. The American Legion Greenbrier Post 26 meets at the Clifford Armory/Ronceverte Recreational Center on the first Monday of each month at 6 p.m. Guests are always welcomed.
