Saying farewell to the Stars and Stripes
Cedartown Police Chief Jamie Newsome joined by Rev. Henry Cothran as he gave a prayer during a flag retirement ceremony held by the City of Cedartown following the July commission meeting.
Five American flags were retired in an official ceremony at City Hall on July 11. The ceremony took place immediately following the City Commission Meeting.
Cedartown Police Chief Jamie Newsome organized and officiated the flag retirement which included the ceremonial burning of the flags.
“In accordance with the US Flag Code, when a flag is so tattered that it no longer fits to serve as a symbol of the United States, it should be destroyed in a dignified manner, preferably by burning,” Newsome said. “These flags have reached their end of service were ready to be borne to their final salute.”
Newsome was assisted in the retirement of the flags by retired US Air Force Colonel and Cedartown Commission Chairman Larry Odom; Joyce Moss, wife of the late W.M. Moss, who once served as the Cedartown Chief of Police; L.T. Lankford, retired Cedartown Police Chief Captain; Kenneth Roberts, retired Cedartown Fire Chief and Jimmy Newsome, retired Cedartown Assistant Police Chief. Rev. Henry Cothran gave the invocation. Sgt. Andre Nicholson and senior patrol officer Russell Stroup assisted in the ceremony alongside Cedartown Police Explorers Eric Calhoun and Ansley Wheeler. Rising Cedartown High School senior Dalton Myers sounded taps during the ceremony.