Last week was a busy one indeed for the Becker American Legion, as the post was bustling with activity.

Thursday evening, the members hosted a ceremony designated as a “Dignified Disposal of Unserviceable Flags”.  While the event is usually hosted on Flag Day, this year it was postponed by six days because of the Freedom Days street dance hosted on July 14.

Legion Members, as well as members of the Sons of the American Legion (SAL), Boys Scouts, and several members of the public, paid homage to the flags before they were properly destroyed according to the tenets of a strict program.

At one point in the ceremony, the Sergeant-at-arms proclaimed, “These flags have become faded and worn over the graves of our departed friends, and the dead soldiers, sailors and airmen of all our nation’s wars.”

After several other recitations and after having been inspected by the Vice-commanders of the post, the flags were then presented to Commander John Riebel, who proclaimed the importance of the ceremony with the following words:

“A flag may be a flimsy bit of printed gauze or a beautiful banner of finest silk.  Its intrinsic value might be trifling or great; but its real value is beyond price, for it is a precious symbol of all that we have lived for, and died for - a free nation of free men and women, true to the faith of the past, devoted to the ideals and practice of justice, freedom and democracy.”

After a prayer offered by Chaplain Tim Hinds, the Honor Guard then finished the program and the Becker Boy Scouts began helping as the flags were honorably destroyed by fire.

Meal Served

Friday, the Legion Auxiliary hosted a “walking taco” meal, as their lunch event the previous week had been canceled as part of the Freedom Days celebration.

A steady crowd filed into the building, with some people choosing to stay and eat, while others ordered the meal as takeout for themselves, family or co-workers.

Garage Sale

Also in the building Friday was the opening day of the Legion garage sale, which helps to raise funds for the post.  The sale will run Fridays through Sundays through the month of July.

With a new lease on their building and a solid partnership with Becker Township, the Legion is experiencing a renaissance with community events and gatherings.  The post is always looking for new members, as is the local SAL chapter.