From the American Legion ceremonial script
"A Flag may be a flimsy bit of printed gauze, or a beautiful banner of finest silk. Its intrinsic value may be trifling or great; but its real value is beyond price, for it is a precious symbol of all that we and our comrades have worked for and lived for, and died for - a free Nation of free men, true to the faith of the past, devoted to the ideals and practice of justice, freedom and democracy."
MONROE - Hundreds of U.S. flags were burned at sunset Thursday in three-foot red and orange flames, which rose out of three barrels placed along the curb of 16th Street in Monroe.
Members of the Zilmer-Riley American Legion Post 84 in Monroe performed the U.S. flag disposal ceremony at about 6 p.m. at the Legion building. The ceremony is repeated annually near Flag Day, June 14.
The flags, a collection of the worn and tattered emblems of our country, came from the Monroe, Monticello and New Glarus American Legions, soldiers' graves and private citizens.
Commander Chuck Drnek presided over the outdoor ceremony. Sergeant-in-Arms John Daehlin and his detail presented the unserviceable flags to Second Vice Commander Jim Curran, First Vice Commander Fritz Wenger, and Commander Drnek, for each of their inspection.
The men verified that the flags were in their used condition as a result of their usual service - draped or flown over the graves of departed comrades, soldiers and sailor dead of the nation's wars, or displayed in various public places.
The commander declared the flags had "reached their present state in a proper service of tribute, memory and love."
The Legion's members marched the first dozen or so flags to the fire barrels. Chaplain Jeff Perkins gave a prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance was said, and the veterans saluted.
Then the officers, with members Carey Schneider and Nelson Miller, began the half-hour detail of burning the flags, inspecting each one last time before laying it in the purging flames.
A couple flags were retained, as a member determined they were still fit for duty.
"At least a couple hundred came off soldiers' graves," said Legion member Walter Ruef, who witnessed the ceremony.
Ruef said the small flags are replaced with new ones on Memorial Day.
"The good ones were given to Girl Scouts when they marched in the Memorial Day parade," he added.
Five members of the Legion Auxiliary also were in attendance to witness the ceremony.
The remains of the flags are minimal.
"There's not much ashes," Ruef explained. "The nylon ones turn to liquid."
The National Convention of The American Legion approved the Ceremony for Disposal of Unserviceable Flags in 1937 in New York City.
In August 2000, at the VFW 101st National Convention in Milwaukee, VFW delegates passed a resolution establishing a U.S. Flag disposal program for Posts to conduct, privately or publicly.
Members of the Zilmer-Riley American Legion Post 84 in Monroe performed the U.S. flag disposal ceremony at about 6 p.m. at the Legion building. The ceremony is repeated annually near Flag Day, June 14.
The flags, a collection of the worn and tattered emblems of our country, came from the Monroe, Monticello and New Glarus American Legions, soldiers' graves and private citizens.
Commander Chuck Drnek presided over the outdoor ceremony. Sergeant-in-Arms John Daehlin and his detail presented the unserviceable flags to Second Vice Commander Jim Curran, First Vice Commander Fritz Wenger, and Commander Drnek, for each of their inspection.
The men verified that the flags were in their used condition as a result of their usual service - draped or flown over the graves of departed comrades, soldiers and sailor dead of the nation's wars, or displayed in various public places.
The commander declared the flags had "reached their present state in a proper service of tribute, memory and love."
The Legion's members marched the first dozen or so flags to the fire barrels. Chaplain Jeff Perkins gave a prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance was said, and the veterans saluted.
Then the officers, with members Carey Schneider and Nelson Miller, began the half-hour detail of burning the flags, inspecting each one last time before laying it in the purging flames.
A couple flags were retained, as a member determined they were still fit for duty.
"At least a couple hundred came off soldiers' graves," said Legion member Walter Ruef, who witnessed the ceremony.
Ruef said the small flags are replaced with new ones on Memorial Day.
"The good ones were given to Girl Scouts when they marched in the Memorial Day parade," he added.
Five members of the Legion Auxiliary also were in attendance to witness the ceremony.
The remains of the flags are minimal.
"There's not much ashes," Ruef explained. "The nylon ones turn to liquid."
The National Convention of The American Legion approved the Ceremony for Disposal of Unserviceable Flags in 1937 in New York City.
In August 2000, at the VFW 101st National Convention in Milwaukee, VFW delegates passed a resolution establishing a U.S. Flag disposal program for Posts to conduct, privately or publicly.