“We thought it would be really important to see the proper way to retire a U.S. flag that’s no longer fit for display,” Spilman said.
The ceremony was coordinated for Monday since it was Flag Day.
A metal fire pit was set up to burn the flag. The ashes were scattered along the tree line of Harbin Park near the Civitan.
Scouts were led from the Civitan Club through a path connecting the club and park. The Scouts, who range from first to fifth grades, donned yellow camp shirts, which marked the Dan Beard Council’s 100th year in Scouting.
The campers sat with their legs crossed, watching the solemn ceremony.
Four Boy Scouts stood in front of the fire with a white rectangular bucket containing a cut-up flag. Troop 974 Scoutmaster Scott Kunau told the young Scouts there is no set way to retire a flag, but the U.S. Flag Code states it “should be destroyed by a dignified way, preferably by burning.”
“We are drawn together in the sight of God to pay our last respects to the symbol of our great nation,” Kunau said.
The Boy Scouts of America guidelines dictate it should be burned thoroughly and completely in “a modest, but blazing fire.”
“We the American people have stayed true to values that the flag represents,” said assistant Scout Master Don Ebding. “We should always value the sacrifices that have been made for our flag and the country that it represents.”
The troop’s assistant scout masters explained what the parts of the flag represent: The stripes stand for the original 13 colonies. The red stripes stand for courage and white stripes for liberty. The blue banner stands for loyalty, and each star represents a state.
The flag was precut into pieces: seven red stripes, six white stripes and several strips of the blue field with stars.
As each piece was placed into the fire, the orange flames grew into a deeper hue, and black smoke gently billowed from the flames.
During moments of quiet, only the crackling and popping of the fire, singing birds, honking geese and an occasional “woosh” from the fire were heard.
“Our flag today stands as a symbol of hope, flying in the name of piece and brotherhood of man,” said assistant Scout Master Nick Silvestri.
“It’s a tribute of the accomplishments of yesterday and the dreams and hopes of tomorrow.”
Contact this reporter at (513) 755-5112 or mpitman@coxohio.com. Follow at
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