Mount Vernon Towers Has U.S. Flag Retirement Service and Ceremony on Memorial Day

01 Jun Mount Vernon Towers Has U.S. Flag Retirement Service and Ceremony on Memorial Day

At noon on Memorial Day, Monday, May 30, Mount Vernon Towers, the independent living retirement community in the heart of Sandy Springs, inaugurated the new flagpole that was recently installed in honor of all the veterans at Mount Vernon Towers. The community also held an official U.S. Flag Retirement Service and Ceremony.

Chris Peterson, Executive Director of Mount Vernon Towers, invited all residents at the Towers who wanted to retire their flags to donate them for the ceremony. “We had an ROTC Honor Guard that performed during the well-attended ceremony, and it was very moving for all of us there. It is a solemn and impressive process,” he noted.

Flag Retirement Service

According to the National Flag Foundation, the procedure follows strict guidelines. During the ceremony, only one flag is used, representative of all the flags to be burned in the service. The ceremony is conducted out-of-doors, and

involves two color guards, one for the flag currently in use and a special color guard for the flag to be retired from service. After leading the audience in the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag, the color guard slowly and ceremoniously lowers and respectfully folds the flag in the customary triangle.

Then follows the “Ceremonial Burning.” First, each flag is torn into shreds along the stripes of the flag. Then, the shredded flags are placed in a container and burned. They never touch the ground. While this takes place, “God Bless America” is sung and a special message about the meaning of the flag is shared. When the flags are completely consumed, the fire is extinguished and the ashes buried.

From the Flag Keepers Flag Retirement Ceremony:

“We are gathered here to destroy these flags that have been deemed no longer serviceable. It is proclaimed that each of these flags has served well.

These flags have inspired those who desired the taste of freedom and have represented hope to those oppressed by tyranny and terror. These flags have welcomed any and all in the name of liberty.”

See http://flagkeepers.org/flag_retirement_ceremony0.aspx

To learn more about living in a comfortable, convenient and spacious condominium in Mount Vernon Towers, the top retirement community in the heart of Sandy Springs, please contact Curt Frinkle at (404) 255-3534 for a private tour.