Honoring a symbol: Team Seymour holds flag retiring ceremony

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Aaron J. Jenne
  • 4th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
SEYMOUR JOHNSON AIR FORCE BASE, N.C. --  Throughout the U.S., tens of thousands of flags fly year round no matter the weather or the conditions. It is meant to honor the ideals for which the country was founded and those who serve to protect them.

Following a flags life cycle, whether it has been worn, torn or soiled through wear and tear, the American flag is ceremoniously retired to honor the national symbol.

Airmen assigned to Seymour Johnson AFB, North Carolina, along with local community Boy Scouts held a flag retirement ceremony June 14 at Debden Park. The event took place on Flag Day, a federally recognized day honoring the adoption of the flag by the U.S. in 1977.

More than 100 flags, no longer fit to be flown, were collected from around the Goldsboro area and laid to rest in compliance with U.S. code. It dictates that once a U.S. flag is no longer in good standing condition it will be replaced with a new one and the old will be respectfully destroyed.

"I find it fitting that the flag should be retired the same day it was created," said Dave Parker, Troop 8 assistant scout master. "It's an honor to be an American. Our flag is a symbol of the freedom that sets us apart from other nations. With its 13 stripes for the original colonies and a star for each state, the flag shows the history of this great nation."

During the ceremony, Airmen from the base honor guard ceremoniously retired the flags following a certain protocol. According to organizers, the traditional method of retirement is to dismember and incinerate the flag.

The first flag to be retired was a ceremonial flag. Seymour Johnson honor guardsmen held it as volunteers cut the star-spangled blue field from the flag using a new pair of sheers. This was followed by the removal of each stripe while a member of Team Seymour read statements about the flags history. When each strip was separated, it was placed over a flame.

According to Tech. Sgt. Crystal Browning, 4th FW honor guard NCO in-charge, the honor guardsmen took special precautions to ensure each flag was retired in a manner that would preserve its integrity.

"As a military member, the flag is life itself," Browning said. "I live and breathe for the constitution, this uniform and the flag. Making sure the flag gets the respect it deserves, from beginning to end, makes me proud."

Following the retirement of the first ceremonial flag, taps was played as scouts and Airmen looked on and saluted one final time. One by one, flags were retired until none remained.

Once the last flag was retired, each person left the park in silence. This signifies respect for the task accomplished and respect for the flags which no longer wave.

The honor guardsmen remained at the ceremony until the flames died to collect the ashes. Browning noted that even the ashes of the burned flags are treated with dignity.

"The flag needs to be treated with respect at every stage," Browning said. "We take special care of the flag while it is flown, retire it when it is old and even treat the ashes with the respect deserved. That's how much we love this national icon."

With the success of this year's ceremony, the 4th FW honor guardsmen look to continue the tradition as an annual event with Boy Scout support.

"We don't burn a flag, we retire the flag with the honor and dignity it deserves," Parker said as tears formed in the corners of his eyes. "It's displayed at the top of flagpoles and on the coffins of military members who've paid the ultimate sacrifice for what it represents. It stands for everything that is great about this nation."