CARIBOU, Maine — A local group is asking residents to gather up old, worn American flags and bring them to a special ceremony where they will be retired with respect.
The Meo Bosse Detachment 1414 of the Marine Corps League will host a flag retirement ceremony, appropriately, on Flag Day — Wednesday, June 14 — at the Northern Maine Veterans Cemetery on the Lombard Road in Caribou, beginning at 7 p.m.
Craig Fay of Presque Isle, SV Commandant of the league, said the organization hopes to conduct the ceremony yearly. American flags should never be thrown away, he said; patriotism requires they be laid to rest via this solemn rite and then burned.
Fay added members of local Boy Scout troops as well as the Young Marines will also join in the event. Organizers will set up a special cage in which to burn the retired flags.
Anyone wishing to retire a weathered or worn U.S. flag may contact Vaughn Hardacker, league commandant, at 999-9077.
The public is encouraged to attend the ceremony.
