American flags burned in dignified ceremony
Staff Writer
PRESQUE ISLE – Nearly 80 U.S. flags were burned last Saturday in a dignified flag-burning ceremony hosted by the Ray Goding Post 88 American Legion in Presque Isle.
“We had been collecting unserviceable flags for quite some time,” said Jim Taubin, Americanism officer, “and decided it was time to have such a ceremony.
“The flags came – in large part – from the private sector … peoples’ homes, businesses and organizations whose flags were getting tattered and worn out,” he said. “We also advertised on Time Warner Cable Channel 16 and in The Star-Herald. The community overwhelmingly responded by donating their flags. In addition to the standard-sized flags, we also had a lot of smaller ones that were placed at veterans’ gravesites.”
The ceremony, which was last observed two years ago, is always held close to Flag Day.
“We feel that’s the appropriate time to conduct this type of ceremony,” said Taubin.
Taubin said federal protocol states that burning a flag is “the appropriate and respectful way” of disposing of a worn out national flag.
“Cremation is more dignified. Throwing it away to have it buried in a landfill is not appropriate,” he said, noting that typically the ashes are either buried or scattered around the flagpole at the post home.
In addition to local Boy and Girl Scouts and the Boys Brigade from Bethany Baptist Church, those participating in the ceremony included Paul Wilson, post commander; Hazen Murchison, post first vice commander; Burns Weeks, (alternate) second vice commander; Clyde “Charlie” Brown, chaplain; Betty Wilson, president of the Ladies Auxiliary Unit; Gail Vreeland, who sang “The National Anthem”; Ralph Wilcox, reader of the POW/MIA memorial ceremony; Ron Knight, who also assisted with the POW/MIA memorial ceremony; and Presque Isle Fire Department members Vince Baldwin and Scott Michaud.
“I was glad to see the enthusiastic participation of the young people,” said Taubin. “It’s a learning opportunity for them, and helps them learn to respect both the flag and their country.”
Taubin said he would like to conduct a dignified flag-burning ceremony on an annual basis.
TYLER AYOTTE throws an American flag into the fire at a dignified flag-burning ceremony last Saturday as Gavin Mazerolle looks on. The boys are members of the Bethany Baptist Church’s Boys Brigade Unit 5320. The ceremony was hosted by the Ray Goding Post 88 American Legion in Presque Isle.
THE RAY GODING POST 88 American Legion in Presque Isle hosted a dignified flag-burning ceremony last Saturday in which nearly 80 unserviceable U.S. flags were burned. Local Boy and Girl Scouts, as well as other children’s organizations, participated in the event. Here, from left: Paul Wilson, post commander; Burns Weeks, (alternate) second vice commander; Hazen Murchison, post first vice commander; and Jim Taubin, Americanism officer; participate in the flag inspection portion of the ceremony.
