On Sunday, September 22, a Flag Retirement Ceremony was held at Woodlawn Cemetery on Concord Road in Acton. The United States Flag Code stipulates the proper method of disposal for a flag that is “in such condition that it is no longer a fitting emblem for display.” Traditionally, U.S. flags are incinerated, and the retirement of dozens of flags took place at a permanent fire pit constructed on site for Paul Nelson’s 2014 Eagle Scout project. According to a 2015 Beacon article, Nelson received a National Award for Distinguished High School Service Project from the National Garden Club Federation in addition to his Eagle Scout award for this project.
The inaugural ceremony using the fire pit was conducted by the American Legion, but Sunday’s ceremony was organized by Acton Boxborough Veteran Services Officer James MacRae with Acton’s Boy Scouts of America (BSA) Troops 1 and 37 and members of Acton’s Fire Department in attendance.
MacRae collects flags throughout the year at his office in the Human Services and Senior Center located at 30 Sudbury Road in Acton. Every 3-4 years, a sufficient number of flags are amassed to hold the retirement ceremony. MacRae explained to the crowd gathered that flags are retired when they are “worn, torn, faded or badly soiled.” A recording of “Taps” was played to signify that the flags were about to be retired with respect and dignity.
Traditionally, the flag is cut with shears so that it “ceases to be a flag” before burning. Scouts from Acton’s BSA Troop 1 cut one flag in half vertically and then again horizontally, taking care not to cut through the blue field of stars. McRae elaborated that “the reason we don’t cut the blue field is because it represents the 50 states, and one should never let the Union be broken.” After this flag was placed into the pit, other scouts lined up with the remaining flags and placed them in the fire one by one.
Alissa Nicol is Community Events Reporter for the Acton Exchange, and a member of the Acton Select Board.
