VFW retires flags during ceremony

In 1942 the first American code for flag etiquette was nationalized, however, prior to flag day several years earlier, in 1923, there were no guidelines of any kind generally recognized by the states or the federal government. After some time, the country decided there needed to be officially recognized regulation in the way the flag was handled and respected. The country has come a long way in how it treats the flag, and in Plains the respect holds strong. Every year on December 7, Pearl Harbor Day, the Plains VFW holds a flag retirement ceremony.

Heather Allen, quartermaster for the Plains VFW, said that they have likely been doing this ceremony since not long after the post's inception in 1937. At the beginning of the ceremony, there was a speech given speaking of the history of the American flag, its many meanings and the purpose behind the burning. After the pledge was recited, the burning began. During the retirement, several post members and volunteers took collected flags and placed them into two fire barrels. Each flag was folded respectfully and placed into the burning barrels. Onlookers took photographs and contemplated what the flag meant to them silently.

Throughout the year the VFW welcomes old flags to be turned in through the VFW Post 5420 for retirement in December. This year, the VFW retired 16 service flags, two Montana Flags, two POW/MIA flags, 54 U.S. flags, 100 mini U.S. flags and one giant 40-foot by 50-foot flag from the fairgrounds. According to Allen, the fairgrounds flag is usually retired every two years, however, this last year had a lot of wind and so the flag was retired a year early.

The ceremony was done for several years by the local Boy Scout Troop, however, since there has been no troop for several years the VFW wanted to ask local youth from the school to help. However, with COVID-19, there were no youth asked to come out to participate this year.

Flags that begin to fray or fade are generally ready for retirement, according to Allen. As Allen explained, "once it reaches a point where it no longer represents America," then it is time to retire it. When a flag gets that old locals can bring it to the Plains VFW. More information can be found by contacting the VFW at 826-3841.