SHELBY TOWNSHIP, Mich. – During the “Go 4 It Honoring the Flag” event in May, nearly 2,000 worn U.S. flags were collected and given to veterans organizations in Metro Detroit for proper retirement.
Those flags were given to veterans organizations across Metro Detroit to receive a proper retirement in Shelby Township, Garden City, Dearborn, Eastpointe, Lincoln Park and Brighton. The flags are inspected and then burned during an official ceremony.
Related: How to properly handle, dispose of American flags
For a quarter of a century, Dearborn American Legion Post 364 has gathered in Ford Field every Flag Day with a single goal -- care for tattered U.S. Flags as they are supposed to be treated. Flag code and etiquette says a worn U.S. flag is to be burned and then the ashes are buried. There’s no penalty if you don’t, it’s simply a matter of respect and one that’s important -- especially to veterans.
Local 4 put out the word to those who had worn flags and wanted to see them disposed of correctly, they could drop them off. Metro Detroit came out in droves and nearly 2,000 flags were collected.
Dearborn American Legion Post 364 held its annual flag-burning ceremony on Flag Day at Ford Field. The Dearborn Fire Department oversees the event as the Post burns the flags solemnly and dignifiedly.
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