On Veterans Day 2024, Oak Hill Boy Scout Troop 1885 demonstrated their service to the community with a flag retirement ceremony to honor veterans.
It’s proper etiquette for a flag to be disposed of by fire and buried on hallowed ground, which they did at High Lawn Cemetery.
The 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month in 1918 saw World War I come to a close. The holiday was originally called Armistice Day, renamed Veterans Day in 1954. The scouts properly retired many flags.
“We have a place here where we buried the ashes and they’re folded in the cocked hat of the Revolutionary War soldiers, the 13 folds,” said Scoutmaster Randy Dolin. “And we dedicate them to fire.”
The flag retirement ceremony teaches the scouts respect for the flag, and they earn community service hours to help them obtain ranks.
“They need to know what happened in history,” Dolin said.
Zachary Murrell called his first time participating in a flag retirement ceremony important.
“I think it’s a good thing we’re doing this to respect the flags and the people who have fought in the wars to give us this freedom,” said Murrell, a Tenderfoot Scout.
Dolin’s father was in the Invasion of Normandy.
“We have hundreds of them (flags) to do today and I think that’s a big part — showing the respect,” the Scoutmaster said.
Troop 1885 has the freedom to be Boy Scouts and give back.
“Retiring the flags means a lot to us because veterans served our country and we serve them,” said Life Scout Mason Webb.
When an American flag is no longer fit for display, it should be retired dignifiedly to show respect for one’s country.
There’s a drop box for your old, tattered flags in front of Oak Hill City Hall and VFW post 3110.
