The Saratoga National Cemetery Honor Guard Association conducted a U.S. FLAG DISPOSAL CEREMONY on June 13, 2022 at the Gerald H. B. Solomon National Cemetery. This formal and dignified semi-annual 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. (36 U.S.C. 176(k)).”
The event took place in Committal Shelter #1 by the following Honor Guard participants:
- Color Guard: Gary Squires, Detail Leader / Barry Baker / Dennis Gaspie / Ernie Dremiller / Bob Haney / Frank Merrill
- Bugler Steve McCauslin
- Flag Bearers Dennis Latham / Phil Christian / Glenn Duffy / Jim Brown / Mark Joly / Stanley Williams / Marty Allen
- Chaplain Norm Schultheiss
- Sergeant-at-Arms Ron Shaw
- Vice Commander Don Boone
- Commander Art Dutcher
Thanks to Cemetery Director Scott Lamb and staff for hosting, arranging, setting up the burn barrel, 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 to destroy the unserviceable Flags with respectful and honorable rites.
Seven Flags were burned during the ceremony, representing all the collected Flags to be burned this date by the Cemetery staff. 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.