July 23
The boy finally called yesterday afternoon. I was so excited, if I could have, I would have done a jig.
A few weeks ago, the boy went to spend the day with my parents. He came home with 2 flags to retire. You should never fly a flag that is dirty, faded, or torn in any way.
He asked if I’d like to help. I had never seen a flag retired before, so I said sure.
The first thing you do is beg to use your mother’s best Gingher scissors, and cut the stripes out.
Then you cut out the field.
After your flag is all cut up, you must start your fire.
No flint and steel for this Boyscout…it is cheating fire starter all the way.
You burn the stripes first.
Then the field.
Always being respectful to the flag.
Bury the ashes when they have cooled.
You don’t have to be a Boyscout to retire a flag. You just need a pair of scissors, fire starter, and respect.
Wow, I knew you had to burn the flag to retire it, but didn’t know you had to cut the field out, then burn the stripes, then the stars. Thanks for sharing that!
appliejuice
Wednesday,July 23, 2008 at 8:15 am
Alright, some of us with little boys would like to know things you did raising your son so ours can turn out like him. Pretty please.
Eckmama
Wednesday,July 23, 2008 at 8:25 am
I have one flag that is worn and faded, but it is the one that I flew while Dh was gone to Iraq. I don’t think I could retire it that way. I just folded it up and put it in my cedar chest.
Thanks for pointing this out though. I personally did not know this.
Glad the boy is doing well and you got to hear his voice.
FourHisGlory
Wednesday,July 23, 2008 at 8:38 am
I’m so glad the Boy finally called home!
I didn’t know you had to cut the flag up to retire it. Very interesting. And a very respectful Boy you have there.
MissPlacedAlaskan
Wednesday,July 23, 2008 at 9:38 am
I am so glad you heard from him.
I never knew that, very interesting.
Bobbie
Wednesday,July 23, 2008 at 9:54 am
I never knew you had to cut up the flag like that….great post and great pictures.
My eyes teared up seeing him standing there paying homage to the flag as it burned.
I’m glad you finally heard from him….I know that takes a load off and you feel better just hearing his voice.
gingerporter
Wednesday,July 23, 2008 at 11:22 am
You know, just the other day I was thinking about the disrespect I see to the flag. They’re hung out 24/7 and in all kinds of weather. I remember when the janitors of all the schools and businesses were required to raise and lower the flag each and every day.
That’s for the heads up on the proper way to retire a flag. I knew they were to be burned but I didn’t know the proper procedure. We take flags to the VFW and they retire them.
- Suzanne, the Farmer’s Wife
the Farmer's Wife
Wednesday,July 23, 2008 at 12:40 pm
We have 2 flags that hubby needs to retire but that will wait until he comes home next month. We have 2 new flags to put up, one for us and the other for hubby’s aunt – he took his uncle’s down a few weeks ago as it was getting bad but she didn’t have the heart to do it so soon. She’s glad hubby took care of it for her.
Elaine
Wednesday,July 23, 2008 at 1:55 pm
Thanks for the lesson. I didn’t know how you officially retire a flag.
Cindi
Wednesday,July 23, 2008 at 3:11 pm
That’s wonderful information. I didn’t know how to properly do that. Wish you’d let everyone in on how to properly display a flag. ;> To see the flag displayed incorrectly raises my ire. Guess I should just be glad that someone cared enough to display it in the first place.
Yay for hearing from your son!
Vee~A Haven for Vee
Wednesday,July 23, 2008 at 3:45 pm
Eckmama….your boy need an all wise all knowing gramps like “the boy” has to raise them right..
from “gramps r us”
gramps
Wednesday,July 23, 2008 at 3:51 pm
That’s it…just…the boy called! (Just teasing!)
How’s he doing?
Robin
Wednesday,July 23, 2008 at 4:40 pm
I am apparantly a very hormonal person, as I kinda lost it when seeing your son with his hand over his heart like that…can’t seem to stop the tears.
I hope my son Seven will have so much honor and respect. Great kid you have there.
Susan
Wednesday,July 23, 2008 at 5:14 pm
You done good CC.
April
Wednesday,July 23, 2008 at 9:46 pm
I attended a flag retirement ceremony once, it was beautiful.
Barbra-Sue
Wednesday,July 23, 2008 at 10:06 pm
Please enlighten me as to the reason you cut the stripes first and then the field. It was very interesting to find out. Made me tear up to see Dean like that. Glad he finally called home.
Aunt Cindy
Wednesday,July 23, 2008 at 10:20 pm
Glad to know Dean is doing well. If you hear from him again before he comes home, tell him I said “Hi, and I love him.”
Annie
Thursday,July 24, 2008 at 7:28 am
Aunt Cindy~~I asked the boy why you did that. I don’t think he was quite sure, but that is how it is done.
chocolatechic
Thursday,July 24, 2008 at 7:31 am
What a sweet young man you have there. It made that lump well up in my throat and I got chills as I saw the photos of him retiring the flag. Even to this day I get that teary eyed lumpy feeling when I hear taps and our National Anthem. Been that way ever since I had been younger but more so when I joined the Navy way back when. I am out now but I still have my pride in my wonderful country and it’s nice to see that some younger people today also have that same pride.
Your a great mom!
Aaliyah
Thursday,July 24, 2008 at 9:40 am
Thanks so much for sharing the retiring of a flag. I will show my boys this post.
Kath
Thursday,July 24, 2008 at 10:41 am
This is fascinating, never seen it done. Very nice.
Elizabeth
Thursday,July 24, 2008 at 11:21 am