“The Flag, when it is in such condition that it is no longer a fitting emblem for display, should be destroyed in a dignified way, preferably by burning.” – Public Law 94-344

And burn they did.  Over 4000 flags.  Despite all of the rain that has fallen on them over the past few days.

Throughout the year, American Legion Post 286 collects thousands of worn and unusable American Flags from visitors to the Post, from other local Veterans’ groups and from members of the community.  They are ceremoniously burned each Flag Day at the Post on N. Dayton Lakeview Rd.
It takes several days to prepare for the ceremony.  The supports are built, flags are draped and soaked with 25 gallons of kerosene.

Monday’s ceremony began with a skydiving demonstration by the Team Fastrax Professional Skydiving Team.
After the playing of Taps and the 21-gun salute, the flags were ignited, and soon the orange flame consumed them, and the billowing black smoke extended several hundred feet above.

Our local ceremony is one of the largest flag retirement ceremony in the country, and it is believed to be the largest in the state of Ohio.
The post reports that several hundred flags have come in over the past few days and will be retired on Flag Day, 2011.  If you have an American Flag that has served its purpose well and needs to be retired, you may drop it off at the Post, 2251 N. Dayton Lakeview Rd.