201212_UTMinuteman_W.. - Keep Trees

Spanish Fork Flag-Retirement Ceremony
Story and photos by Spc. Ariel Solomon
SPANISH FORK, Utah — Spanish Fork City, along with
the American Legion, area Scout troops and the Utah National
Guard held a solemn ceremony in the city’s outdoor arena to
retire hundreds of torn and worn American fl ags July 18.
The ceremony is an annual event held for the past 14 years
during the city’s Fiesta Days celebration.
Soldiers from Charlie Battery, 1st Battalion, 145th
Field Artillery, and Boy Scouts from many different troops
participated in the ceremony.
The guest speaker, Lt. Col. Matt Price, director of facilities
for the Utah National Guard, spoke to the crowd just before the
retiring of the Colors. He focused on how the Boy Scouts
affected his life so much and how their service builds strong
leaders.
“The secret to Scouting is service,” said Price. “I think
Robert Baden-Powell [founder of the Scout movement] must
have known that you can make a much better citizen, leader
and a much stronger nation if you can teach young men leaders
to give unselfi shly.”
Shortly after Price’s remarks, the fl ag-retirement part of
the ceremony began. According to U.S. Code Title 4, Chapter
1, Section 8 (k), “The fl ag, when it is in such condition that it
44 Winter 2012
Utah National Guard Soldiers assist
local Boy Scouts at the Spanish Fork
Flag-Retirement Ceremony July 18.
is no longer a fi tting emblem for display, should be destroyed
in a dignifi ed way, preferably by burning.”
Soldiers entered the arena bearing a 50-foot by 30-foot
fl ag. As attendees watched, the tired banner was raised over the
pyre and then lowered into the fl ames. The 23rd Army Band
played Taps as the fl ag was consumed. After a fi nal salute,
Soldiers made an about-face to receive the many smaller
fl ags given to them by the Boy Scouts. The sun touched West
Mountain as the last fl ags were placed on the pyre, almost an
hour and a half after the ceremony began.
As Soldiers and Scouts marched off the arena’s sand, three
cannons were fi red seven times each, a 21-gun salute to the ash
remains of the retired fl ags.
Many Soldiers and civilians remarked that the ceremony
moved them. Some felt sadness during the ceremony, while
others felt pride in the fi nal honor given to our national symbol.
“We’re all trying to be hardcore, but it almost brings a tear
to your eye,” said Staff Sgt. Clyde Hancock of Charlie Battery.
The ceremony annually provides a place for old and torn
fl ags to receive a fi nal honor to mark their passing. All who
attended this funeral for our fl ag left having experienced the
fi nal dignity we give to the symbol of our nation.