Community Corner
Veterans Gather in Brentwood to Retire Old American Flags
Brentwood's American Legion Goff-Moll Post 101 was host to a small crowd that gathered for an Independence Day ceremony to respectfully dispose of worn American flags.
The American Legion Goff-Moll Post 101Â flag retirement ceremony served as both solemn occasion and celebration this Independence Day. Attendees paused to appreciate their freedoms as Americans and the sacrifices of American military veterans, then joined together for traditional Fourth of July barbecue fare.
American Legion member Mike Laub said that the post had received about 100 flags for disposal.
"Most of them are in pretty bad shape," he said. "People don't know the protocol for when and how to display the flag, so they wear out pretty quickly."
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"It used to be from dawn to dusk," added Post 101 member Leo Lang, "and now it's gotten to the point where you don't even have to light it at night."
Not every flag showed up in shreds however. Laub identified at least one large canvas flag that seemed to show hardly any wear. "Might as well get some more use out of it," he said, noting that it too would wear out quickly once it was exposed to the elements.