Each year, Bristow American Legion Post 126 and Boy Scouts of America Troop 571 participate in and host flag retirement ceremonies to properly honor and retire the flag.
In celebration of Flag Day, the American Legion will host a flag retirement ceremony on Tuesday, June 14, at 6 p.m. Troop 571 will also participate. This year, the ceremony will take place at the plaza behind the Bristow Fire Department, which is located at 115 East 6th Avenue. American Legion Commander Justin Adair expressed his hope to secure the plaza as the permanent location for future flag retirement ceremonies.
Often conducted by service and veteran oriented organizations in deference to the honor, sacrifice, and integrity the flag represents, flag retirement ceremonies offer us the opportunity to appropriately dispose of flags that are torn, worn, or otherwise unfit for display. In accordance with the United States Flag Code, Title 4, Section 8K, “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, preferably by burning”, the American Legion and Troop 571 ensure that local flags are retired by burning.
Both groups accept any flags in need of retirement. Please contact Commander Justin Adair at 918-807-9224 or Troop 571 at bristowtroop571@gmail.com to retire a flag.