By Liz Premo
Atlantic News, Thursday, June 21, 2001
[The following article is courtesy of the Atlantic News]
HAMPTON — Scores of tattered and faded American flags were honorably removed from service last week when Hampton’s American Legion Post #35, together with Hampton Boy Scout Troop #177, held a ceremonial flag burning during a local observance of Flag Day on the evening of Thursday, June 14.
Participating in a simultaneous nationwide “Pause for the Pledge” which began at 7 p.m., a handful of residents who were present recited the Pledge of Allegiance with Legion officials and color guard who had taken their respective places on the lot behind Hampton’s uptown fire station. Nearby, a fire could be seen flickering up through a grate which was balanced across the top of a metal half-barrel, turned on its side.
The orderly exercise began under the leadership of Post Commander Joe Kutt, who with fellow Legionnaire John Holman had organized the event. Standing at the head of the formation, Kutt was approached by Post members Roger Syphers and George Masten, who held a single flag in his hands. The flag — along with eight boxes of additional flags -— was described as “unserviceable” and presented for inspection, and an official request was made for an honorary disposal in the nearby flames.
The presentation was repeated before both the junior and senior vice-commanders (Arnie Plastridge and Ralph Fatello, respectively) before final approval was officially given for the flag to be ceremoniously burned.
“A flag may be a flimsy bit of printed gauze, or a beautiful banner of finest silk,” said the Post commander. “Its intrinsic value may be trifling or great; but is real value beyond price, for it is a precious symbol of all that we and our comrades have worked for and lived for, and died for a free nation of free men and women, true to the faith of the past, devoted to the ideals and practice of Justice, Freedom and Democracy.”
Just before the burning, the commander continued by saying, “Let these faded Flags of our country be retired and destroyed with respectful and honorable rites and their places be taken by bright new flags of the same size and kind. And let no grave of our soldier, sailor, or airman dead be unhonored and unmarked.”
The detail made an about-face and marched with its color guard escort toward the fire. A prayer was offered by Pastor Garrett Lear, and as Post members saluted, the flag was lowered onto the flames.
Shortly thereafter, the Boy Scouts lined up to perform their part of the flag burning, tossing flags of all sizes and materials on top of the grate. Holman, who had earlier said “the [community-wide] outpouring of flags is unbelievable,” employed a long metal poker to keep wayward bits of flaming material where they belonged.
As the flames and smoke rose up into the early evening sky, more and more of the torn, unserviceable flags were fed to the fire, until nothing was left but ashes. It was an event that bore great significance in the eyes of Cub Master Tom Yaltin of Cub Pack 177.
“I feel it is important that the Cub Scouts and Boy Scouts are here for the [flag] retirement ceremony,” he said, noting the importance of encouraging Scouts to “live by what the flag stands for,” and “to stand by it and give it the respect it deserves.” These sentiments were echoed by Scout Mark Duly, who said “I think the flag ceremony is a great thing to do, because it shows respect for the flag.”
“I think it’s good,” agreed Post member Ken Malcolm, who said it was the first time he had ever seen the flag burning ceremony performed. Observing that there was only a small representation of the community present, Malcolm noted “It’s too bad more people didn’t come out” for the event.
Speaking for himself, Fatello admitted he found the flag burning “an honorable, somber,” yet “strange occasion.” He went on to explain that, in view of the fact that the American flag is often desecrated by being set on fire, “it still feels strange to burn [an unserviceable] flag, even though it’s the proper way to dispose of it.”
Noting that “people died under [the American] flag” in service to their country, Pastor Lear expressed gratitude that the flag symbolizes “one nation under God,” and that it is fitting to have proper flag burnings to “retire tattered flags with honor” at such ceremonies. Lear also added that in the future he hopes “more people will come out and understand why it’s done.”