Pack 765 in Westland, Michigan gladly accepts your
flags for retirement and proper disposal. |
Cub Scout Pack 765 conducts a flag retirement ceremony by burning the flag. |
Cub Scout Pack 765 takes the responsibility of retiring flags very seriously.
If you have a flag that needs to be retired please contact us. |
The United States Flag Code 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". |
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A flag should be retired with dignity and respect when it has become worn, torn, faded,
or badly soiled. A flag ceases to be a flag when it is cut into pieces. |
Our scouts are taught the proper manner in which a flag should be retired.
They know the difference between flags being burned by protestors and demonstrators
and have a respective attitude during the flag retirement ceremony. |
How do we prepare a flag for retirement? |
To prepare the flag for retirement, the flag is cut into pieces with scissors
in a methodical manner. We separate the 13 stripes that represents
the original 13 colonies,
and the 50 stars to pay homage to the
50 states that together
make up this great nation. |
How do we burn a flag? |
During the flag retirement ceremony, we place each stripe one at a time
in the already burning fire with tongs.
We read out the 13 colonies names
in alphabetical order as we place
each stripe in the fire and we call out
each state as we burn each star. |
What is the meaning behind the U.S. flag? |
The U.S. flag is more than just some brightly colored cloth...
it is a symbol of our nation. |
The seven red stripes and six white strips together represent the original
13 colonies that gained us liberty. The red stripes remind us of the lifeblood
of brave men and women who were ready to die for our country. |
The white stripes remind us of purity and cleanliness of purpose, thought,
word and deed. The blue is for truth and justice, like the eternal blue
of the star-filled heavens. |
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The stars represent the fifty sovereign states of our union. |
The U.S. flag should be treated with respect when it's flying,
and should be treated with respect when it's being retired. |
