From: Alan Penny (alan.penny@OSBORNGROUP.COM)
Date: Wed Jun 21 2000 - 10:09:59 CDT
> I have been attending Flag cremation ceremonies
> on Flag day at the local American Legion for
> years with my Scouts. I am also a member and
> have never ever heard anyone suggest that we
> cut the blue out so that it is not a flag. The legion
Years ago (too many!) when I was a Scout attending
Camp Arrowhead (Marshfield Missouri) I saw a flag
cremation ceremony and there was nothing about taking
the blue out.
I recall a few remarks, including mention about where the
flag was used (at the camp), perhaps a prayer, and I think
the Pledge of Allegiance was said and the flag was put onto
the camp fire.
Just this year I was at another cremation ceremony. It was
with some Scouts & Leaders at a small overnighter at church
camp. We just said the Pledge of Allegiance for the flag one
last time and then carefully placed it on the fire. It was
being retired from a radio station from town.
If I recall correctly from reading about the flag in both
the Scout & Cub Scout books, it just says that a flag that
is being replaced/retired and not being saved should
be burned.
I suppose you could make up a ceremony about the "blue" being
taken out, but the whole point of cremating (burning) the
flag is that it is an American flag, and shouldn't just
be stuffed into a landfill.
If you "take the blue out" and it is "no longer a flag", why
couldn't you put it out with the trash then? If you can't
burn the flag, what do you do with "blue" part that
makes it a flag?
- Alan Penny, Cubmaster 3094,
Santa Fe Trails District, Heart of America Council,
Kansas City Missouri Area
