Use This Guide To Respectfully Retire Old Glory

The American flag is a shining symbol of patriotism. It can be seen flying over police stations, schools, and government buildings. Our nation’s flag stands for freedom and pride and reminds us of what our country stands for.

So we must know how to care for it properly and what to do when an American-made American flag has reached the end of its lifespan. Properly disposing of a tattered and worn flag is the best way to rest the stars and stripes in a dignified manner.

Ensuring your flag is in proper condition is an important part of displaying it at your home or business. You must follow the U.S. flag code to show your American-made United States Flag the respect it deserves.

Let’s take a closer look at the U.S. flag code, how to tell if your flag needs to be replaced, and what to do to dispose of your American flag properly.

A Brief History Of The Flag Code

The United States Flag Code was first enacted in 1923. It offers ordinances regarding how the national flag should be treated, displayed, and disposed of.

These regulations were put into practice after being adopted by congress in 1942, stating various rules, from barring the American flag from clothing to how to respectfully remove a worn-out flag.

Here are some of the rules you must follow when handling an American flag:

  • The flag should never touch anything beneath it, such as the ground, water, or other flags
  • The flag should never be worn or sat on
  • The flag should only be flown from sun up to sun down unless lit adequately throughout the night
  • Keep the flag clean and store it in a safe place
  • Only fly the flag upside down in an emergency

While the Flag Code isn’t necessarily a law, American citizens must follow these ordinances out of respect and morality.

How To Tell When It’s Time To Retire Your Flag

Whether you’re flying a nylon, polyester, or cotton flag, high winds and exposure to the elements will cause it to break down over time. Even with the best care, you’ll need to retire your flag at some point.

Retiring a flag means you will store it, but it’s still fit for display. There are many different types of flag retirement ceremonies. However, one of the most common is taking a folded flag and placing it in a wooden box.

Any worn-out flag can be adequately preserved and protected from any further damage.

These retired flags are often used in ceremonies and funerals concerning veterans of foreign wars. This method shows respect and dignity to the flag and its bearer.

Different Methods For The Proper Disposal Of An American Flag

Unlike retirement, disposal comes when a flag cannot fully represent its country any longer. At this point, proper disposal is required to ensure the flag gets its perfect send-off.

Here are some ways you can tell if it’s time to dispose of your American flag and purchase a new one made in the USA to display at your home or business.

  • There are tears or holes in the fabric.
  • You notice discoloration or stains on the flag
  • The stitching has become frayed
  • The edges of the flag are tattered

If you’re looking to dispose of your American flag on your own, here are some ways to properly dispose of a United States flag that is no longer fit to display.

Retire A Flag By Burning

The U.S. Flag code states that you can burn a retired flag. This allows you to give the symbol of our nation a proper rest. Burning the flag also protects its original messaging, ensuring it is never defaced or defiled.

Flag Day is the recommended time to burn your decommissioned flag, but you can technically hold a flag-burning ceremony any time. Here’s how you can properly burn a flag:

  • Start by obtaining a burning permit through the EPA if necessary for your area
  • Build a medium-sized fire far away from trees, dry leaves, or flammable structures
  • Fold your flag into the ceremonial triangle shape
  • Place the flag carefully in the center of the fire
  • Be respectful during the flag burning ceremony by observing a moment of silence and reflecting on the meaning of this important symbol
  • Once the flag has turned to ash, put out the fire entirely or supervise it as it dies naturally. Never leave a burning fire unattended

If you are planning to dispose of polyester or nylon flags, do not burn them. Since these materials contain chemicals, inhaling the smoke will cause damage to your lungs.

Instead, choose one of the following disposal techniques to handle a worn-out flag.

Give It A Proper Burial

Another method for properly disposing of your old flag is to bury it. You’ll need to do several things to give your flag a proper burial.

Make sure you choose a burial spot where you are authorized to dig. Always ensure there are no gas or power lines near where you are digging.

You can start the ceremony with the pledge of allegiance. Before you bury the flag, you must fold it into a triangular shape and place it in a strong wooden box. The purpose of a wooden box is to keep the flag pure, untouched by the dirt.

Take the time to ensure you follow proper protocol, with the flag never touching the ground, water, or anything beneath it.

Then, bury the flag several feet beneath the surface of the earth to ensure it stays covered despite weather and erosion.

You can end this ceremony with a moment of silence and know that you have disposed of your flag in a dignified way.

Bring It To A Donation Center

If you cannot dispose of your American flag properly, you can bring it to a donation center or flag collection to ensure it is appropriately handled.

June 14th, or Flag Day, is a popular day to dispose of American flags because veterans associations, the local fire department, and The Boy Scouts Of America often host flag drives. During these events, the hosts will collect flags fit for disposal and give them a proper send-off.

These events also occur at Veterans Of Foreign Wars or VFW centers. This is a foundation dedicated to the proper disposal of the American flag. Many locations offer a flag disposal box or a drop box so citizens can bring their old flags for proper disposal.

The American Legion is another organization that assists the populous with proper flag disposal. They have a flag advocacy program that hosts yearly events to ensure worn-out American flags are correctly disposed of.

Replace Your Retired Flag With An American-Made United States Flag

Once you’ve properly disposed of your tattered American flag, the next step is to purchase a new one for your home or business.

What better way to honor your country than to buy a United States flag crafted in America? Not only will this show your pride in your country, but it signals that you care about where your purchases come from.

The American List makes it easy for customers like you to browse and purchase American-made goods in one place. So when you’re in the market for a brand new American flag, let us help you find the right one!