Veterans Teach Youth Flag Disposal Etiquette

Flags are ceremonially burned to retire them from service at St. Ignace Middle School Wednesday, May 9. In the foreground (from left) is Dougald Beaudoin of Trout Lake, a member of Disabled American Veterans (DAV), U.S. Air Force Staff Sergeant Phil Brink, and DAV member Ron Dahms. The ceremony is being held in public for the benefit of sixth and seventh grade students. In the background saluting the flag (from left) are DAV member Christopher Stearns, American Legion member Gary Olsen, and American Legion member Mike Lehto. Not pictured is Billie-Nita Clark, past state commander of the DAV, who coordinated the event, provided information on flag retirement for students, and held practice ceremonies at her home.

Students at St. Ignace Middle School learned the proper way to dispose or a damaged or soiled U.S. flag at a service Wednesday, May 9, in front of the school. Representatives of the Disabled American Veterans (DAV) Straits Chapter 93, American Legion Post 62, and Air Force Staff Sergeant Phil Brink, who was visiting the area, conducted two ceremonies for sixth and seventh grade classes.

Seventh grade students look on as Abby Chambers sings the national anthem at a flag retirement ceremony at St. Ignace Middle School Wednesday, May 9. Saluting are one member of the United States Air Force, several members of the Disabled American Veterans (DAV), and members of American Legion Post 62. Pictured (from left) are Phil Brink of the Air Force, Marine Corps veteran Mike Lehto, Army veterans Ronald Dahms, Billie Clark, and Dougald Beaudoin, Miss Chambers, Army veteran Christopher Stearns, and Navy veteran Gary Olsen. (Photograph by Heather Brady)

The donated flags were burned in a metal container.

During the first ceremony, a flagpole fell over and a new flag attached to it touched the ground. According to law, it was burned also, said Billie-Nita Clark of the DAV.

The DAV accepts soiled and damaged flags from residents and businesses and retires them in similar ceremonies. Teacher Heather Brady requested the ceremony at school.