Worn and faded from flying at military grave sites on Mackinac Island, flags were presented for disposal during the Veterans Day ceremony at the Island school Wednesday, November 11. The flags were presented to Army First Sergeant Paul Wandrie (left), commander of Chapman St. Onge Dankowski American Legion Post 299. Watching the presentation are (from left) Navy Petty Officer First Class Cory Kaminen and Army Specialist Fourth Class Doug Horn. Presenting the colors is Marine Corps Sergeant Roy Bessell. Commemorating the World War I armistice 91 years ago, the Mackinac Island American Legion post honored veterans in a ceremony that addressed the flag, its history, and its significance to American veterans. The morning program was held at Mackinac Island Public School Wednesday, November 11.

The American flag holds a special place in the hearts of veterans, said Paul Wandrie, commander of the Chapman St. Onge Dankowski American Legion Post 299. The flag always has led the way into battle and the military has been the protector of the flag, he said. Drawing students into the ceremony, Mr. Wandrie quizzed them on their knowledge of the flag, its history, and symbolism. Students shouted answers from their bleacher seats in the gymnasium.

"A flag may be a flimsy bit of printed gauze or a beautiful banner of the finest silk," said Mr. Wandrie. "Its intrinsic value might be trifling or great, but its real value is beyond price, for it is a precious symbol of all that we and our comrades have worked for, lived for, and died for -- a free nation of men and women true to the faith of the past devoted to the ideals of justice, freedom, and democracy."

A program was offered to demonstrate respect shown to flags, even those that are torn and faded from weather. Participating in the Ceremony of the Disposal of Unserviceable Flags were Island veterans Mr. Wandrie, Cory Kaminen, and Doug Horn.

Worn out from flying at the grave sites of veterans, the flags would be destroyed by burning and replaced with new flags of similar size, said Mr. Wandrie.

Other Island veterans attending the service were Bill Porter, Lance Greenlee, and Robin Dorman.

Also participating in the ceremony were students in fourth through seventh grades singing "Grand Old Flag" and "America," led by teacher Rick Waites. Mary Slevin sang the National Anthem, and Girl Scout Meadow Greenlee led the Pledge of Allegiance.

Following the ceremony, post veterans presented students in grades kindergarten through seven with a backpack, each printed with the name of an Island veteran. The packs were donated by former Island resident Marine Gunnery Sergeant Delbert Bunker of Orlando, Florida.