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Monday's Internet Edition, January 05, 2009.
Wilton Boy Scout Troop 581 holds flag retirement ceremony
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Photo by Fran Soto
Members of Wilton Boy Scout Troop 581 gently drape a retired flag on a blazing fire on Nov. 22 as it is retired according to federal law.
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By Fran Soto
River Valley Times Staff
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Under the direction of Eagle Scout candidate Sean Sexton, Wilton Boy Scout Troop 581 held their first flag retirement ceremony Saturday, Nov. 22.
In a dignified and yet relaxed service, the young scouts unfurled each tattered flag before carefully draping it onto a small fire set in the parking lot of Wilton Fire Protection District (WFD) Station 81 at the corner of Wilton and Dillard roads. "As you leave here tonight, I ask you to think about what the flag means to you," said Sexton at the conclusion of the ceremony. In all, eight American flags and one military service flag were retired.
The flag retirement ceremony was the end result of Sexton's Eagle Scout project, which originated after the Sexton family noticed a number of tattered and torn flags flying around Wilton. Explaining that a tattered flag is considered disrespectful and federal law requires flags be retired in a dignified manner by burning in a respectful ceremony, Sexton said that his project would be to create a collection spot in Wilton for old flags. "It was important to us to teach our boys to be patriotic and respectful and honor the flag," said Veronica Sexton, echoing her son's words.
The evening began with a prerecorded selection of Amazing Grace as family, friends and firefighters were seated around a small blazing fire preset by the scouts. The scouts displayed a donated flag as those present said the Pledge of Allegiance.
Sexton then unveiled the collection box that he designed and built with the help of his fellow scouts. The box will be permanently stationed at the WFD for River Valley residents to deposit worn flags. "I thought it would be a good idea to create a spot where old flags could be taken," Sexton said in his presentation to those present. "It would be good to establish an annual flag retirement ceremony that would be put on by Boy Scout Troop 581."
In his presentation, Sexton expressed that all the parts of the flag are symbolic. He said that the colors red, white and blue each had meaning. Red represents shed blood, white stands for purity and innocence and blue symbolizes vigilance, perseverance and justice. The 13 stripes stand for the original 13 American colonies, and the 50 stars stand for the 50 American states.
According to Scoutmaster Dave Chase, the ashes from the ceremony are not required to be disposed of in any certain fashion, but sometimes the ashes are returned to the owner, depending on the history of the flag.
Sexton graduated from high school in the spring and plans to enlist in the U.S. Marine Corp or U.S Air Force as soon as he turns 18 years old.
For River Valley residents who wish to retire old, tattered and worn flags, the flag collection box is located at Station 81 outside the door to the community room and is easily accessible from the parking lot.
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