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Flag garden a place to honor ‘Old Glory'
Staff Report
Published July 30, 2009
“I am your flag ... I am Old Glory ... Now I am tired and it’s time for me to rest in the Sacred Flames ... My colors are faded and my cloth is tattered but my spirit remains unbroken.”
These words, or ones very nearly identical, have been uttered countless times over the years by Boy Scouts during retirement ceremonies for the flag of the United States of America. Now thanks to a local businessman, Paris will have a place formally set aside as a repository for the ashes of the symbol of our nation’s strength and unity.
Arvin Starrett of Starrett Funeral Home recently dedicated a formal flag garden on the grounds of the historic structure that houses his business. The funeral home will also provide the urn in which the ashes of the retired flags will rest in the garden.
“Retiring ‘Old Glory’ is one of the Scout’s most sacred ceremonies,” Starrett said. “I believe there are many in this Northeast Texas community who will take advantage of the opportunity to properly dispose of the American flag. Americans take their flag very seriously all year-round, not just on July Fourth.”
The United States Flag Code states: “The flag, when it is in such condition that it is no longer a fitting emblem for display, should be destroyed in a dignified way, preferably by burning.”
“People often wonder what to do with worn, torn, faded or badly-soiled flags when they want to replace them,” said Troop 3990 scoutmaster David Hanson. “There are dozens of flag retirement ceremonies that are used by scouts around the world, but they all incorporate the standard cutting it into four pieces and then burning it.”
The American flag is never to be burned whole. It is to be cut into smaller pieces, without cutting into the blue field of stars, and each piece is to be burned, with dignity and in silence, as befitting our nation’s standard. Once the flames have done their work, the ashes are gathered together and solemnly buried.
We commend Starrett for offering assistance to our area Boy Scouts and their continuing commitment to honor our nation’s flag, and we urge our readers to make use of the services offered by the Scouts and by Starrett Funeral Home.
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