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Hundreds
Attend Flag Disposal Ceremony at American Legion Post
177
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The
Honor Guard from the Fairfax County Police Department
file into the Ball Room for the opening ceremonies. |
The
Flag Disposal Ceremony is one of the most solemn and important
events associated with the American Legion. The United
States Flag Code states: "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, preferable by
burning."
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American
Legion Post 177 Officers assembled at the head table for
the ceremony. From left to right: Dean Strong, Chaplain;
John Kestler, 2nd Vice; Grady Wilson, 1st Vice; Mark
Duke, Commander; John Kushner, Service Officer; Brenda
DiMichele, Judge Advocate; and Michael Wheeler,
Adjutant.
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On
Wednesday night, October 12th, a motion was made and approved by the membership that the Flag
Disposal Ceremony would be held in place of the regular
membership meeting, though new members would be inducted before
the meeting was suspended. Grady Wilson, 1st Vice
Commander, reported a record 54 new members for the past
month. All new members were voted on and approved by a
unanimous vote.
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Boy
Scouts from Troop 1887 prepare flag for the Disposal
Ceremony. |
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from numerous organizations attended the ceremony
including members of the Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, Cub
Scouts, Civil Air Patrol, Sea Scouts, Fairfax County
Police Honor Guard, Bill Hendricks and his bag pipers,
as well as active duty members of the military. In
addition, many others from the community attended. |
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Members
of the Civil Air Patrol preparing flag for burning.
Photo
Slide Show of Ceremony |
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As
an educational experience, attendees were invited to
bring a flag to the fire. Instruction was provided
on the proper handling of the flag and the purpose of
each part of the ceremony. It is important that
the young men and women of our community carry on the
tradition of the ceremony and understand the
significance of our flag.
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Boys
Scouts from various Troops wait to present their
flag to the fire.
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A young boy
holds a flag to be burned during Wednesday night's Flag Disposal
Ceremony at American Legion Post 177.
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After
the initial flags were burned, the general
audience was dismissed and treated to a buffet of
BBQ, chicken, pasta, hotdogs and beans, cold cuts,
salads, and other menu items. Free soda and
other soft drinks were available for the children.
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Private
First Class Ryan Smith, Active Duty Army, with
Grady Wilson, 1st Vice Commander, receiving a flag
from a Cub Scout for burning.
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More
than 300 flags had been collected over the past
several months and so members of Post 177, the
Sons of the American Legion, and Active Duty Army
remained long into the evening burning the flags. |
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Staff
Sergeant Eric Long, Active Duty Army, and Ben
Brewer, Sons of the American Legion 2nd Vice
Commander, disposing of flags late into the
evening. |
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Private
First Class Tim Delaney and Private First Class
Ryan Smith, both Active Duty Army, working late
into the evening to burn the remaining flags
during the Flag Disposal Ceremony.
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Click
here for more information about the Flag
Disposal Ceremony and photographs from years past.
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