x
  1. Home
  2.  News
  3.  Local News

Flags retired by veterans and community on June 14

| 19 Jun 2013 | 12:55
    Disposing of the flags.
    Disposing of the flags.
    Scott Lyon.
    Scott Lyon.
    George Alakpa of Hamburg, who served nine years in the Army with 19 months in Afghanistan, lends a hand during the ceremony.
    George Alakpa of Hamburg, who served nine years in the Army with 19 months in Afghanistan, lends a hand during the ceremony.
    Photos by John Church Members of Cub packs 90 and 298, Boy Scout Troop 187 and Girl Scout Troop 897 added flags to the fire.
    Photos by John Church Members of Cub packs 90 and 298, Boy Scout Troop 187 and Girl Scout Troop 897 added flags to the fire.

BY JOHN CHURCH
FRANKLIN — Despite the intermittent rain Friday evening, unserviceable American flags were retired in a ceremony at the VFW Post in Franklin.

“On June 14, Flag Day, we burn all the unserviceable flags,” said Post 132 Commander Ray Caramanna. “We invite the Boy scouts, Girl Scouts and any legion members to participate, hopefully to instill in them the process of disposing of an American flag.”

The post has a converted mailbox in front of the building to collect the flags all year long. “We have to continuously empty it,” said Caramanna.

The Sussex County Municipal Utility Authority also has a flag drop box at their Lafayette facility.

Scott Lyon, a volunteer with Bugles Across America, played 'To the Color.'

“Bugles Across America provide live bugle services, mostly for veterans, and military honors for funerals,” said Lyon. “I just joined a few weeks ago so this is my first assignment.”

The post officers held a brief ceremony, Lyons played and the Scouts took turns adding flags to the fire. When the fire grew too hot the scouts retreated to the post building for hotdogs and root beer while the post officers tended the fire.

To volunteer or to request a bugler visit www.buglesacrossamerica.org.