Scouts in Medina give flags a proper retirement during ceremony

Photos by Ginny Kropf: Boy Scouts place old flags in burn barrels, which is the proper way to dispose of an American flag. The flags were retired during a ceremony Monday night at the Conservation Club on Bates Road, in observance of Flag Day.

David Vanderwalker, left, and Matthew Miner properly folded an American flag before placing it in a burn barrel.

MEDINA – Scouts from Pack and Troop 28 at the United Methodist Church and Pack and Troop 35 from St. Mary’s Church met with veterans from the Butts-Clark American Legion Post at the Conservation Club on Bates Road to conduct their annual flag burning ceremony.

The Scouts and veterans have been celebrating Flag Day for 27 years by properly disposing of American flags which are no longer serviceable, said Frank Berger, a veteran and former Scout executive.

Scoutmaster Tim Miller explained the ceremonial burning.

“These served as a reminder of our nation and those who served us well,” he said.

In the past, flag burning ceremonies were also conducted at the Scout cabin on School No. 10 road, but the area did not have accessible parking, so it was decided not to have it there this year, said Frank Berger, a veteran and former Boy Scout executive with the Iroquois Trail Council.

Used flags are collected throughout the year at various locations in the Medina area, including the American Legion. Then they are brought to the annual flag burning ceremony, which begins with a reading on the proper disposal of the flag. Burning is the only proper way to dispose of an American flag which is no longer suitable to be flown.