{"id":3991,"date":"2017-04-21T07:55:40","date_gmt":"2017-04-21T11:55:40","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.gettysburgflag.com\/blog\/?p=3991"},"modified":"2024-12-09T21:10:53","modified_gmt":"2024-12-10T02:10:53","slug":"what-to-do-with-a-damaged-or-retired-american-flag","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.gettysburgflag.com\/blog\/what-to-do-with-a-damaged-or-retired-american-flag\/","title":{"rendered":"What to do with a Damaged or Retired American Flag"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"Some<\/a>
Some of the thousands of flags that mark 911<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The United States Flag Code dictates that any American flag<\/a> that is worn, damaged or tattered beyond repair should be retired in a respectful and dignified manner. While the code allows for worn flags to be discreetly and professionally burned, there are also other options, including flag burials and \u2013 our personal favorite \u2013 donating your flag to the Stars for Our Troops<\/a> program.<\/p>\n

\"Honoring<\/a>
Honoring a symbol, Team Seymour holds flag retiring ceremony<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Flag Retirement Ceremony<\/h3>\n

If you choose to burn your damaged flag, it should be done in a discreet and professional manner. Many organizations, including the American Legion<\/a>, the Boy Scouts Council<\/a> and the Girl Scouts Council<\/a>, will perform a flag retirement ceremony and burn your flag for you.<\/p>\n

Flag Burial<\/h3>\n

It also acceptable to seal an old flag in a plastic bag and bury it. The flag should be folded neatly and treated with dignity. The most important factor is showing respect to the flag during its retirement and disposal.<\/p>\n

\"Stars<\/a>
Stars For Troops American Flag<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Stars for Our Troops<\/h3>\n

The Stars for Our Troops program takes old, tattered American Flags<\/a> and turns them into a prized possession for an American Soldier at home, on base or overseas. Volunteers lovingly cut each embroidered star from the flag, dispose of the stripes properly, and place each star into a tiny plastic bag with a card that reads, \u201cI am part of our American flag that has flown over the U.S.A. I can no longer fly. The sun and winds have caused me to become tattered and torn. Please carry me as a reminder that you are not forgotten.”<\/p>\n

\"stars<\/a>
Embroidered stars pouched and ready to be handed to a Veteran or Soldier<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

To learn more about the program or to join the Gettysburg Flag Works family of \u201cstar maker\u201d volunteers, please visit Stars for Our Troops<\/a>. In addition to collecting worn flags for the program, Gettysburg Flag Works offers the packaged stars in our showroom and at events.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

The United States Flag Code dictates that any American flag that is worn, damaged or tattered beyond repair should be retired in a respectful and dignified manner. While the code allows for worn flags to be discreetly and professionally burned, there are also other options, including flag burials and \u2013 our personal favorite \u2013 donating… continue<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":65,"featured_media":3995,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[44],"tags":[10,26],"class_list":["post-3991","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-flag-information","tag-american-flag","tag-stars-for-our-troops-2"],"yoast_head":"\nHow to Properly Retire an American Flag | Gettysburg Flag Works<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Learn about the proper protocol for retiring a damaged American flag. 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