‘IT’S NOT JUST A FLAG’
Retirement ceremony for Stars and Stripes has much meaning
Holding pieces of a well-worn American flag in his hands, Carlos H. Santiago spoke his uncle’s name.
Jose Rodriguez was a role model for Santiago. He had been a lance corporal in the Marine Corps, serving in the Vietnam War.
He was Santiago’s favorite uncle, and the reason the Reading man decided to join the Marines himself.
About four months ago Rodriguez passed away.
“It’s not just a flag. It represents the United States and all of the veterans.” — Liz Graybill, group founder
Just after noon on Saturday, Aug. 28, beneath a gray sky, Santiago stood in the grove across the street from Zion Spies Evangelical Reformed Church in Alsace Township and thought about his uncle.
He said the uncle’s name and his rank, and then handed off the pieces of flag he was holding.
Those piece were taken a few steps away and placed into the flames of a fire that burned inside a metal ring.
It’s the way American flags are meant to end. A fitting tribute to both the iconic symbol and to the man the flag was retired in memory of.
That flag was one of hundreds retired Saturday during a ceremony by the local non-profit group Veterans Making a Difference.
Liz Graybill, who founded the group with her husband, Doug, said the idea of the ceremony is to show respect to both the flag and all that it represents.
“It’s not just a flag,” she said. “It represents the United States and all of the veterans.”
Graybill said that the the act of naming someone who served before retiring a flag helps to hammer home that point. If the person is still alive, she said, it is done to honor their service.
If the person has passed away, it’s to make sure they’re remembered.
“It helps us to remember them and make sure they’re not forgotten,” she said. “And it helps us to heal.”
John George, of Reading, retired flags in memory of both his stepfather and his grandfather. He said it’s an emotional experience, but one he’s happy to be able have.
“It’s just something I’m proud to do,” he said.
Along with veterans and the friends and family of veterans, a group from Boy Scout Troop 508 and Cub Scout Troop 508, both based at Alsace Lutheran, took part in Saturday’s event handing out flags to those wanting to retire one in honor of or memory of someone who has served.
Graybill said she was thrilled to have them take part.