Members of Becker American Legion Post 193 conducted a formal flag disposal ceremony at the Legion building in Becker Wednesday, the national celebration of Flag Day.

 

All U.S. flags which have become damaged, faded or otherwise unfit for display are required to be disposed of in the prescribed manner, which is by burning. Flags are expected to be handled in a respectful manner during the disposal ceremony, and should never be allowed to touch the ground before being consigned to the flames.

 

Becker Legion Sergeant-at-Arms John Fischbach read the established call-and-response to begin the ceremony as Honor Guard members presented the colors, which included the flags of the U.S. and Minnesota’s state flag.

 

Other Legion members pulled flags from boxes and containers and fed them into the barrel to the backside of the Legion building. They included John Riebel (Legion), Andrew Lee (SAL), Tom Lee (Legion), Fred Kleine (Legion), Chuck Meyer (Legion), Tim Hinds (Legion), Dennis Barthel (Legion), Donnie Hance (Legion), Jaxon Hance (SAL) and Quentin Hance (SAL).

 

Others who came later to participate were Marty Immerman (Legion) and Ed Radeke (Legion).

 

Flag Day marks the adoption of the first United States flag by the Second Continental Congress June 14, 1777. The birthday of the U.S. Army is also celebrated June 14, it having been formally adopted by the Continental Congress on that day in 1775.

 

The first celebration is believed to have taken place in Fredonia, WI, where teacher B.J. Cigrand organized a “Flag Birthday” event for school children in that district June 14, 1885. A New York City teacher, George Balch, created a similar program there in 1889, which was later adopted state-wide by the New York State Board of Education.

 

In 1949, President Harry Truman signed an Act of Congress that designated June 14 as National Flag Day. While not an official federal holiday, it is a state holiday in Pennsylvania, the only state in the nation to make that designation, to this point. It is celebrated by proclamation each year at the discretion of the sitting U.S. President.

 

Quincy, MA, has the longest-running tradition of a Flag Day parade, having begun theirs in 1952. The annual parade in Troy, NY, attracts an estimated 50,000 spectators.