Bowling Green Amvets holds Flag Day flag burning ceremony

CORRECTION: THIS STORY HAS BEEN CORRECTED FROM AN EARLIER VERSION. AMVETS HELD THE CEREMONY AT THE VFW HALL. THE TWO ARE SEPARATE VETERAN ORGANIZATIONS.

BOWLING GREEN Ky. – Monday morning the First Lt. Robert L. Henderson Amvets  Post 130 held its annual Flag Day, flag burning ceremony properly retiring the community’s American flags on National Flag Day. 

The U.S. Flag Code reads, “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.”

Adjutant and Amvets 130 spokesman Don Meredith said he stands out here in front of the fire on this 90-degree day for his brothers who lost their lives fighting for these very flags.

 “It means a lot to me because the ones who gave the supreme sacrifice. This flag, they did it for this flag and this country. So, some way that I can help out, this is where I need to be.” Meredith said. “That’s our purpose. We’re veterans helping veterans. And anything we can do to help them, that’s what we try to do.”

These men had over 2,000 flags from the community to honor this holiday. Each one folded and burned with dignity. Commander of Amvets Bowling Green Gerald Mounce, says that he is trying to keep the tradition around for as long as he can.

“We’ve all served our country, done our job, and now we’re just trying to keep traditions alive for one thing. A lot of our old traditions are disappearing out here. People are trying to change history and doing away with a lot of good traditions. This is something we hope we can keep alive for as long as there’s an old soldier out here somewhere,” said Mounce.

The ceremony was held at the VFW post.

The ashes from these flags will be properly buried at a later date. People can bring their old American flags to the VFW where they will be properly burned next year on Flag Day by the Amvets.