Scouts retire hundreds of flags at flag-burning ceremony

15th annual event held at Red Clay Park

KENNETT SQUARE » Hundreds of flags, many of which flew at the graves of local servicemen and servicewomen, were retired Sunday at a flag-burning ceremony hosted by Boy Scout Troop 53 of Kennett Square.

The 15th annual event took place at the Red Clay Park in Kennett Square, attended by state Rep. Eric Roe, R-158, and Matt Fetick, Kennett Square mayor.

“It is good to honor our nation’s flag,” said Roe, whose wife gave birth to fraternal twin boys last week. “The flag is widely recognized as a symbol of liberty all throughout the entire world. It also symbolizes sacrifices of men and women in uniform, many of whom gave their lives to give us our freedoms.”

Fetick said he was honored to attend the ceremony.

“Scouting has been – especially with Eagle projects – really visible in Kennett Square,” he said. “This brings a dignified end to an incredible symbol, a symbol that means different things to different people, whether it’s a symbol of freedom or a symbol of sacri-

fice.”

American Legion Post 491 in Kennett Square taught the troop how to conduct a respectful Flag Retirement Ceremony. It began with an Eagle Scout project in 2001 right after 911 in conjunction with the Kennett Fire Company.

Scouts from Troop 24 also attended, as well as members of Kennett Fire Co. No. 1 to ensure the fire stayed contained.

Lately, several environmental groups have been critical of flag-burning ceremonies, saying they unleash toxic chemicals into the air. Unlike the cotton and wool flags made in the early 20th century, today’s flags are made out of petroleum-based materials like nylon. Burning nylon is different from burning cotton or wool and can create hazardous gas.

A trend today is for the cutting of the American flag into small pieces, and retiring it into refuse containers.

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.

FRAN MAYE – DIGITAL FIRST MEDIA Boy Scouts from Troop 54 throw American flags into the fire during a flag-burning ceremony Sunday in Kennett Square.

FRAN MAYE – DIGITAL FIRST MEDIA Scouts from Troop 53 take part in a flag-burning ceremony Sunday in Kennett Square.

FRAN MAYE – DIGITAL FIRST MEDIA American flags burn at a flag-burning ceremony Sunday in Kennett Square.

FRAN MAYE – DIGITAL FIRST MEDIA Boy Scouts from Troop 53 take part in a ceremony to burn American flags Sunday in Kennett Square.