American Legion Post 181 and local Boy and Girl Scouts retire tattered flags.



On Tuesday, June 14, American Legion Post 181 along with local Cub, Boy and Girl Scouts retired almost 300 flags. Local Legionnaires have decommissioned over 3,000 flags since starting this program three years ago.

There were approximately 20 Boy Scouts, 10 Cub Scouts and one Girl Scout who helped with the semi-annual ceremony. There were also several adult Scout leaders along with American Legion and Auxiliary members. Over 60 people were able to witness this meaningful event.

The American Legion collects tattered and torn American flags that are placed in the flag retirement boxes at the downtown Lake Stevens War Memorial and at Bartell Drugs in Frontier Village.

The first flag retirement ceremony held in Lake Stevens was on Flag Day in 2007.

In December 2008 the first mid-year retirement was held on Sunday, December 7, which was Pearl Harbor Day.
The retirements are always held on Flag Day and the closest Sunday to Pearl Harbor Day in December.

The U.S. Flag Code states, “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”.
Through the efforts of our local American Legion, Lake Stevens residents can properly decommission their flags in this time honored way.

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