American Legion Post 25 holds annual flag retirement ceremony

Highlands Storage open for business

GRAVETTE — Members of John E. Tracy American Legion Post 25 held their annual flag retirement ceremony at the parking lot next to the United Methodist Church fellowship hall Tuesday evening, July 16. The event is held to dispose of flags which have become faded and worn and are no longer serviceable.

Many persons, having heard of flag burnings held as a protest against America, are alarmed when they learn about the Legion’s custom of burning flags. However, this is the established method of disposing of the unusable banners. The section on Flag Care in a booklet titled “Our National Flag,” published by Koster-Dana Publishing Company of New York, reads, “A damaged or worn-out flag should be destroyed in a dignified manner, preferably by burning.”

Preceding the ceremony, post adjutant Mike Carnahan presented a plaque to Tim Dewitt, head of the parks and streets departments for the city of Gravette. The plaque read that it was awarded for “Outstanding Service” to the Legion Post, and Carnahan commented that many of the activities that Post 25 held would not be possible without assistance from Dewitt.

The ceremony was opened with a prayer by post chaplain Jheri Roberts. Post members stood at attention as post commander Bill Mattler, of Hiwasse, read a tribute to the faded flags. Flags, donated by area individuals and businesses, were presented to commander Mattler by the sergeant of arms, Jim Brooks. They were inspected by first vice-commander Dave Malczynski and second vice-commander Mark Russow, who determined they were no longer usable.

After the final inspection, the ceremony ended with a closing prayer by chaplain Roberts. Several post members then participated in burning the flags in a dignified, respectful way.

Following the flag burning, Legion members, several family members and friends enjoyed a cookout meal in the fellowship hall. All attending were treated to a meal of hamburgers, hot dogs, potato salad, baked beans, chips, watermelon, cantaloupe and soft drinks.

Submitted Photo Gravette Mayor Kurt Maddox shakes Rebecca Zito’s hand as she displays the business license for Highlands Storage, located at 13842 Highway 279 in Hiwasse. Rebecca and her husband own the newly opened business which offers storage units for boats and RVs. Maddox was welcoming them to the local business community.

Westside Eagle Observer/SUSAN HOLLAND John Holloway, member of John E. Tracy American Legion Post 25 at Gravette, drops an American flag into the burn barrel as his young son Gauge, age 3, looks on. Another son, Kaleb, age 9, watches as he waits to place the next flag in the barrel during the Legion post’s annual flag retirement ceremony Tuesday, July 16.

Westside Eagle Observer/SUSAN HOLLAND Tim Dewitt, head of the parks and streets departments for the city of Gravette, displays the plaque he was awarded in appreciation for his outstanding service to the John E. Tracy American Legion Post 25 at Gravette. Mike Carnahan (right), Post 25 adjutant, presented the award at the post’s annual flag retirement ceremony Tuesday, July 16.