Flag Retirement Ceremony

This morning while Karl was out fishing in Puget Sound off of Mukilteo Lighthouse Park, I hung out in the park looking for photo opportunities and just enjoying my first trip to this wonderful park.

I noticed several Boy Scouts show up and start a bonfire in one of the fire pits. They had a roaring fire going in short order and then they performed a flag retirement ceremony.

Nick, one of the scouts in Troop 189 from The Point of Grace Lutheran Church in Mukilteo, decided for his Eagle Scout project to canvas the local community and replace worn and tattered flags. According to the United States Flag Code, "The flag, when it is in such condition that it is no longer a fitting emblem of display, should be destroyed in a dignified way, preferably by burning."

Nick (on the right) and his younger brother

Additional Members of Troop 189

Towards the end of the ceremony, one of the other scouts (whose name I forgot to write down) played patriotic music on his violin.

I applaud Nick on achieving the rank of Eagle Scout and the rest of the young men of Troop 189 on their very moving Flag Retirement ceremony.

Here is a link with additional etiquette when retiring a flag that addresses some common misconceptions (including one I had).