Troop 139 wants your worn
or faded U.S. Flag
Residents and businesses near South Pasadena are encouraged to contact us to pick-up worn or faded U.S. Flags for retirement.
We ceremoniously retire worn and faded U.S. Flags during campfires at our bi-annual Camporees and also at the closing campfire each week at Circle X Ranch at Big Horn, which is our summer camp located on the Forest Lawn Scout Reservation near Lake Arrowhead.
Proper retirement of a U.S. Flag is accomplished by burning as prescribed by Title 4 of the U.S. Code. Two important purposes are served when we retire a U.S. Flag:
- There is an explanatory ceremony where the flag receives the respect that it is due for its service as the emblem of our nation. All those in attendance silently salute each flag as it is retired. At our summer camp, the ceremony typically includes sectioning the flag into its various elements for each stripe and ultimately the blue field and stars are retired. During the ceremony, either the poem My Name is Old Glory (by Howard Schnauber) or patriotic quotations are recited.
- The retirement of a U.S. Flag in this fashion provides an opportunity for Scouts to develop appreciation and respect for our nation's emblem and for those who have served under a U.S. Flag in public service or in defense of freedom throughout the years.
Upon request, two or more Boy Scouts of Troop 139 will come to your home or place of business and receive your U.S. Flag for retirement. Your flag will be properly folded and preserved while waiting for retirement at the next campfire.
The Flag Code, Title 4, United States Code, Chapter 1, Section 8(k) 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."
