What organizations can retire a flag?

Community Disposal Box Throughout the year, organizations like the American Legion, Veterans of Foreign Wars, Girl Scouts and Boy Scouts collect the disposed flags and hold ceremonies to retire them. Flag Day (June 14) is one of the most common days to hold flag disposal ceremonies.

What does Retiring a flag mean?

Flag Retirement is the term used to define the proper, dignified way of destroying United States flags that are no longer fit to serve the nation.

Can you retire a flag yourself?

According to the U.S. Flag Code, “The flag, when it is in such condition that it is no longer a fitting emblem for display, should be destroyed in a dignified way, preferably by burning”. While this is the preferred way to dispose a flag, it can be dangerous.

What happens at a flag retirement ceremony?

The ceremony involves two color guards, one for the flag currently in use and a special color guard for the flag to be retired from service. “This flag has served its nation well and long. It has worn to a condition in which it should no longer be used to represent the nation.”

Do you have to retire a flag if it touches the ground?

Does the flag have to be destroyed if it touches the ground? Answer: However, you are not required to destroy the flag if it touches the ground. As long as the flag remains suitable for display, even if washing or dry-cleaning (which is an acceptable practice) is required, the flag may continue to be displayed.

Is throwing away an American flag illegal?

It is illegal to throw away the American Flag and the Flag Codes state that it should be destroyed with “with dignity, preferably by burning.” There are several ways to respectfully dispose of an American flag. The most common method is burning the torn or tattered flag in a special ceremony.

How long does a flag retirement ceremony last?

It should be possible to retire a flag every 60 to 75 seconds. Limit the ceremony to about 30 minutes or less.

Can you burn a flag on flag Day?

This might come as a shock, but the number one way to dispose of an American flag is to burn it as stated in US Code 36, Title 10, Section 176. This is typically done with a full ceremony involving folding the flag beforehand and saluting it as it burns accompanied by the National Anthem or Pledge of Allegiance.

Should you fly the flag in the rain?

The flag should not be subject to weather damage, so it should not be displayed during rain, snow and wind storms unless it is an all-weather flag. It should be displayed often, but especially on national and state holidays and special occasions.