Somers to 'Retire' American Flags on Friday

The Somers VFW Post 8213, in partnership with the Somers Volunteer Fire Department, will conduct a flag retirement ceremony for the first time this year on Flag Day – Friday, June 14 at 7 p.m. at the Peter J. Babich Memorial on Route 202.

Edwin J. Byrnes III, Commander of the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 8213 in Somers, said they decided to hold the ceremony after various people asked about how they could dispose of their flags.

"With the country's patriotism very high, more and more folks are flying the flag, and most don't realize there is a law about the proper disposal of US flags," he said. 

According to the Code of the United States, Title 36, Section 176: "The Flag, when it is in such condition that is no longer a fitting emblem for display, should be destroyed in a dignified way, preferably by burning."

Byrnes III said the flag is not just a piece of cloth, but it is the country's "most precious symbol."  

"It represents everything that this country stands for – honor, truth, justice, democracy and most of all freedom," he told Patch. 

VFW Post 8213 has a used flag drop box at the Somers Library where they collect the flags to then properly dispose of them.

This year they decided to conduct the ceremony on Flag Day and include the public. Members of the Somers VFW Post along with the Somers Volunteer Fire Department and Boy Scouts from Troop 228 and Troop 376 will be on hand during the ceremony. 

"There will one flag 'retired' during the ceremony, and all others will be burned at the conclusion of the ceremony," Byrnes III said. "The flags currently in our possession, to be retired, have come from flag poles all over the town of Somers, as well as hundreds of small flags from graves of veterans and firefighters that were changed out for Memorial Day."

Residents are encouraged to bring their own flags to the ceremony so they could properly dispose of them. 

"If this year's event is well attended and successful, hopefully we will start a new tradition in Somers and conduct this ceremony annually on Flag Day," Byrnes III said.