The American Legion and the VFW both strongly opposed this legislation at the executive level. Reading through the various on-line threads, I came away with the impression that older veterans oppose this change, but younger veterans seem to like it. Having said that, a goodly number of Marines are adamantly opposed to this change, regardless of the time-frame in which they served.

As I frequently do when writing about the military, I consulted my favorite veteran—my son, Kelly, who served in the U.S. Navy for seven years. He was very surprised by this news, and said that he did not believe that he could ever render a hand salute out of uniform, and I would consider him a “younger” veteran (but he’s getting so old that it’s embarrassing–pretty soon I’ll have to start lying about his age).

Compliance to the U.S. Flag Code is voluntary, and this change in the code will be acted upon “voluntarily” too. But please be sensitive to this new rule; we will see more and more people using a hand-salute while in civilian clothing.

UPDATE: SEE ALSO—Veterans Salute the Flag—clarifying the change in the U.S. Code

Traditionally, when a family is presented with the carefully folded veteran’s burial flag at the end of the funeral—it stays folded forever and may be tucked away or stored in a wooded case for display. But the years pass by, and sometimes the flag passes into the hands of someone who has no connection to the veteran or family.

The occasion comes up rather often: what to do with a veteran’s burial flag that no one wants? It is perfectly acceptable to retire these flags by the flame. However, there are American Legion posts, and VFWs across the country that will accept burial flags and fly them at their local cemeteries on special occasions, usually Memorial Day and Veterans Day.

The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) will also accept these burial flags, and fly them in National Cemeteries on patriotic holidays and special events.

There is nothing in the flag code that addresses this situation. It is a personal decision, but too often it becomes a public decision. As always, treating the flag with respect and honor is the first consideration.

Flag retirement ceremonies are most often conducted by veterans organizations such as the Veterans of Foreign Wars and the American Legion, or the Boy Scouts. But of course, any group or individual can retire a flag. The whole point of retiring a flag is a proper and honorable disposal.

I wonder if any of The Daily Flag readers ever witnessed or participated in a military retirement ceremony? I am sure that each of the services would have well-documented procedures for flag retirement. However, I can’t help thinking that there would be a long list of names of military personnel who would want a flag from the base, post, or ship where they served, even if the flags were no longer suitable for flying.

(Hold that thought while I telephone my favorite veteran to ask … He said “yes,” and in hindsight he perhaps would have liked a keepsake flag that flew where he served, but replacing a tattered flag was never a part of his job so the flags did not pass through his hands, and he simply never thought about it at the time.)

My request

Where I am going with this: I would like for readers of The Daily Flag to send us notes and photos from flag retirement ceremonies they have observed or participated in. My idea is to create a reference tool with ideas and suggestions for others. I would especially like to see how fire pits or free standing fire stands were constructed.

Along with the good ideas, there logically must be a list of bad ideas. For example: If there were a lot of flags to dispose of, in a too small a receptacle (or under-fueled), it would take a long time. Or maybe events when too much “accelerant” was used. These occasions need to be shared, too, if we are to learn. But I promise to be diplomatic, discreet, and circumspect if it was a disaster.

Send your information or photos to Deborah “at” flagsbay.com.

(Rockland ) American Legion color guard first in national competition – Community – VillageSoup
The Vanguard Color Guard of the Winslow-Holbrook-Merritt American Legion marched away Aug. 25 with a first-place trophy and an honorary flag in the American Legion Color Guard Open Class competition held in Reno, Nev. The American Legion National Convention and Parade also took place there that weekend.

This was the second first-place win for the Rockland team since it began competing nationally in 1992.

In 1999, the Vanguard Color Guard won first place in Anaheim, Calif.

An eight year legal battle over the right to fly the U.S. flag is settled. George Andres and the Indian Creek Home Owner’s Association have settled their lawsuits and legal wrangling; Andres can fly his flag. On a more interesting note, the settlement will cause each home owner in the HOA to pay up $850 to cover the settlement. This looks like another lawsuit waiting to happen.

Flag flap over – WPTV NewsChannel 5
George Andes, Jupiter’s Flag Man,” says, “Ahhh, that’s a beautiful piece of equipment red, white and blue with stars.”

It’s what the red, white and blue represents that makes Wednesday even better for George Andres because for him truth, justice and liberty for all was upheld.”

George Andres says, “The board has signed off on the lien against my house they signed off on the foreclosure.”

The fight began in 1999 between the Indian Creek Homeowner’s Association and George is over. George gets to fly his American flag from a flagpole and he doesn’t have to pay anything.

George Andres says, “I was going to keep flying it anyway.”

Mickelson moving in right direction with US Open looming
After tapping in for bogey, Mickelson removed the flag from the pin on No.18 and signed his name with a note: “Butch, the 1st of many.” Then he gave it to his new coach.

“You’re just seeing the tip of the iceberg,” Harmon said. “He’s going to get a lot better.”

Woods is still number one by double the margin and likely will stay there for the rest of this year. But it was a good start for Mickelson, especially winning at a tournament where he had only one finish in the top five.

Tyler, Texas residents need to take their tired flags over to the American Legion Post on Magnolia Street before Saturday. The flags will be respectfully retired by Boy Scout Troop 359, at 1 P.M.

TylerPaper.com — Tyler Morning Telegraph
American Legion Post No. 418 is scheduled to hold an American flag retirement ceremony at 1 p.m. Saturday, May 19, at the post, located at 301 E. Magnolia, Troup.

Guest speaker will be the U.S. Rep., R-Tyler, Louie Gohmert.

The ceremony will be overseen by Post sergeant-at-arms retired Army Command Sgt. Maj. David Gogan and Post adjutant Retired Women’s Army Corps Sgt. 1st Class Patsy Carroll.

The “respectful disposal” of unserviceable U. S. flags ceremony will be conducted by Boy Scout troop masters Charles Parker and Danny Hayden, and Boy Scout Troop No. 359, Whitehouse, Post Commander Jim Chustz said.

Playing on the New England Patriots’ football field will be cool, and I think this is the height of sport. Receiving this invitation and playing the All-Star teams from Israel is certain to be a life memory for these girls and guys.

Flag Football : Nat’l teams to play on Patriots’ turf | Jerusalem Post
Ever dream about playing football on an actual NFL field?

The national flag football teams will be living out their dreams this weekend when they play top US competition at the New England Patriots’ home, Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts.

The teams’ visit follows an invitation from Myra Kraft, chairperson of the Combined Jewish Philanthropies of Greater Boston, to take part in their Israel Independence Day event, “New England Celebrates Israel,” which will be held at Gillette Stadium on Sunday. Robert Kraft, who owns the New England Patriots and Gillette Stadium, is a co-sponsor of the celebration.

Would-be citizens of Australia might have to know the colors of the Aboriginal flag to pass the citizenship test. This will be a cinch for the readers of The Daily Flag, because I have included the flag at the end of this article. Make sure and study before the exam.

Migrants to be quizzed on Aborigines, flag | NEWS.com.au
MIGRANTS applying for Australian citizenship will probably have to know about Aboriginal occupation and the colours of the flag to pass the controversial new citizenship test.

But memorising Don Bradman’s batting average will not be a requisite for becoming a dinkum Aussie.

The 30-question quiz, announced by Prime Minister John Howard in December, will test citizenship applicants on their knowledge of Australian history, institutions, culture and values, in addition to a revised English test.

The questions will be selected from a pool of about 200 and will be based on the content of an Australian Way of Life resource booklet developed by the immigration department.