The Saratoga National Cemetery Honor Guard Association conducted a U.S. FLAG DISPOSAL CEREMONY on October 20, 2022 at the Gerald B.H. Solomon National Cemetery. This formal ceremony is predicated on United States Federal Law, which provides that, “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.”
This bi-annual patriotic ceremony is conducted throughout the United States by various Veteran’s organizations, Boy Scouts and other groups honoring the dignified retiring of U.S. Flags no longer suitable for display.
The event took place in Committal Shelter #1 by the following Honor Guard participants:
- Color Guard Bob Haney, Detail Leader / Barry Baker / Dennis Gaspie
- Ernie Dreimiller / Todd Pedersen
- Bugler Caroline Sirchia
- Flag Bearers Tom Korzinski / Paul Buskey / Al Ernst / Bill Leahy /Joe Gavaletz / Ray Abbott / Ted Mosher
- Chaplain Norm Schultheiss
- Sergeant-at-Arms Jay Ogden (event substitute )
- Vice Commander Frank Merrill (event substitute)
- Commander Don Boone (event substitute)
Cemetery Director Scott Lamb, assisted by Chris O’Brien and Bill Freas were instrumental in hosting, setting up the burn barrel, capturing the event with photos, and cleaning the Shelter area. The event kicked off at 9:00 AM in Committal Shelter 1.
The ceremony incorporated visual inspection of unserviceable Flags by the Vice Commander and Sergeant-at-Arms and recommended to be honorably retired from service and fittingly destroyed. The Commander then directed Sergeant-at-Arms to destroy the unserviceable Flags with respectful and honorable rites.
Fourteen unserviceable Flags were burned during the ceremony, representing all the collected Flags to be burned this date by the Cemetery staff. The event was again conducted in a formal and dignified manner reflecting great credit on all Honor Guard participants and the Saratoga National Cemetery staff.
Post and photos provided by Vice Commander Don Boone