While National Flag Day - June 14 - is a time for Americans to celebrate the meaning of the nation's flag, honor the traditions associated with its care and educate people to its significance, it also is an opportunity for American Legion Post 5 in Jefferson City to demonstrate proper, ceremonial destruction of damaged flags.
The "Ceremonial Flag Retirement" is scheduled for 5 p.m., past commander Mike Henry said. During the ceremony, old flags are passed between officers of the club, who pay proper respect to them. They then demonstrate the proper way to destroy the flags - by burning them. They will receive some help from members of the Veterans of Foreign Wars and destroy 15-20 flags, Henry said.
"They make sure they are properly done," he said. "The flags are just worn out."
Every year, the American Legion post receives hundreds of flags intended for disposal, Henry said.
The post has a drop box where folks can leave their worn flags.
After the ceremony - scheduled 5:30-7:30 p.m. - the post will hold a barbecue serving ribs, chicken, grilled burgers, baked beans, potato salad, corn on the cob, cucumber/onion salad, legion slaw, dinner rolls, apple pie and ice cream. Adult meals (ages 13 and up) cost $12, and meals for children ages 5-10 cost $6.