Flag Retirement
Ceremony with a community, state, national and international flavor.
On Veterans Day evening 2009, members and friends of American
Legion Post 516 came together for their semi-annual ceremony. Prior ceremonies enjoyed partnering with
ROTC, other veteran organizations, retired and active veterans. This year’s ceremony chairman David Fenn
arranged a unique experience.
The participants included Girl Scout Troop 3420 as the flag
detail; First Vice Sir Anthony Bass, former Australian Army Major attached to
US forces; Second Vice Mike Williams, current member of the 36th
division Texas National Guard topped off with “Renegade Nation” Native American
Veterans Color Guard, all in traditional military uniforms. Positions filled by post members included
Sergeant-at-Arms Mike Hux and fire box tender Ron McDonell, both are Purple
Heart recipients; Chaplain Cheryl Estes, President of Auxiliary Unit 516; fire
tender Randy Lyman, SAL Commander and Riders Director with David Fenn
conducting from the ceremony Commander position.
The ceremony started with the
traditional “Assembly” bugle call, openings by the Commander, First and Second
vice Commanders followed by a prayer.
Sir Bass then recited a traditional Australian Prayer for fallen
soldiers. The “Kiowa Veterans Song” played as Renegade Nation performed the
“Fallen Worrier” ceremony assembling the Battlefield Cross with Warrior
Shield. They then presented the Colors
by circling the assembly followed by the “Star Spangled Banner”. The First and Second vice Commanders
inspected the Colors to be retired, a bugle rendition of “To the Colors” was
played and the Sergeant-at-Arms directed the formation to the Urn as “You’re a
Grand Old Flag” was playing. The flags
were individually saluted and retired as a Native American rendition of “Taps”
was being played.
Respect was shown to over 50 flags from local individuals and
businesses. At the conclusion, all
participants were given a round of applause and welcomed back anytime. This was truly impressive ceremony that
followed a great parade in
Submitted by Ken Cox