By Caslee Sims

News Intern

AHOSKIE—The American Legion Post of Ahoskie continued a very rich tradition here Wednesday morning.

A very special flag burning took place at the Parker Veterans Center, home of Hertford County American Legion Post 102. James Hutchinson of Post 102 said the event continued an American ritual that has been a part of Legion history for over seven decades.

Woodmen of the World Lodge 862 of Murfreesboro also assisted in the ceremony.

The burning of a flag is one of the very few ways to “retire” an unserviceable flag.

The U.S. Flag Code states, “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”.

The American Legion embodied such code.

Hutchinson commenced the ceremony with a prayer for fallen members and representatives of the now unserviceable flags.

The Ceremony for Disposal of Unserviceable Flags is outlined in Resolution No. 440, passed by the 19th National Convention of The American Legion in New York, Sept. 20-23, 1937. The ceremony has been an integral part of American Legion ritual since that date.

Hertford County American Legion Post 102 has a box in front of the Parker Veterans Center, located on McGlohon Street (one block north of Main Street) for the placement of unserviceable (worn) flags. The public is welcomed to place their old flags in that box at any time.