The short answer is
anyone
. The U.S. Flag Code does not authorize any particular organization with the duty of retiring flags. Any person or group can do it. However, flags should only be retired in a non-public or private location, and the ceremony should be a dignified event.
Can Girl Scouts retire a flag?
Prelude – Said by Girl Scout Leader (or equivalent)
The old flag should be “retired” with dignity
and respect befitting our nation’s flag. There are two methods of retirement, burial or flame. Burning the flag does not mean that one should simply drop the entire flag (intact) into a fire.
Who can legally retire a flag?
Anyone can hold a flag disposal ceremony
. Whoever chooses to retire a flag should only proceed in a way that is respectful and dignified.
How do you retire a military flag?
“U.S. Flag Code 1 simply reads: ‘
The flag, when it is in such a condition that it is no longer a fitting emblem for display, should be destroyed in a dignified way, preferably by burning
,’” said Les Donoho of Boy Scout Pack 133, who participated in the ceremony.
Is it illegal to take down a flag?
18 U.S. Code § 700 – Desecration of the flag of the United States; penalties. Whoever knowingly mutilates, defaces, physically defiles, burns, maintains on the floor or ground, or tramples upon any flag of the United States shall be
fined under this title
or imprisoned for not more than one year, or both.
How do you retire a flag without burning it?
- Burning a Flag. The first way to dispose of an American flag is to hold a flag burning ceremony at your home or other private location. …
- Community Disposal Box. A second way to dispose of an American flag is to drop it off in a flag disposal box. …
- Burying a Flag. …
- Recycling a Flag.
Is it ever appropriate to the fly the flag upside down?
The United States Flag Code expresses the idea concisely, stating that
a flag should never be flown upside-down
, “except as a signal of dire distress in instances of extreme danger to life or property.” … Please note, the Union flag is a land flag. The red ensign should be used to denote your nationality at sea.
What color should never be seen on a properly folded flag?
There is no official regulation on the number of stars that are showing on a properly folded US Military Honor Flag. The only requirement is that it be
folded a ceremoniously 13 times
and that there be no red or white showing. The following is an exert the US Air Force Flag Detail Manual.
Why do we burn the flag to retire it?
No, throughout history, burning or cremation has long been considered a dignified way of paying respect to the deceased and to objects worthy of veneration. Burning has been applied to flag retirement
to offer the most reverent method of final tribute
.
What do you say when leading a flag ceremony?
After the flags have been posted and saluted by the color guards immediately afterward, the announcer should say, “
Scouts salute. Please join me in the Pledge of Allegiance
.” They’ll then lead the audience in reciting the pledge. Afterward, the leader will say, “Two,” and everyone will drop their salute.
What happens if a flag touches the ground?
The Flag Code states
that the flag should not touch anything beneath it, including the ground
. … You are not required to destroy the flag when this happens. As long as the flag remains suitable for display, even if washing or dry-cleaning is required, you may continue to display the flag as a symbol of our great country.
How long does a flag retirement ceremony last?
The fire must be very hot. Each flag is unfurled and added to the fire until completely consumed, then the next flag is added. It should be possible to retire a flag every 60 to 75 seconds. Limit the ceremony to
about 30 minutes or less
.
What does the military do with old flags?
The Flag Code states that when an American flag is no longer fit for display due to weathering, fading or tattering, it should be disposed of in
a dignified manner —
the most common of which is burning.
What are 3 things you should never do to the flag?
The
flag should never touch anything beneath it
, such as the ground, the floor, water, or merchandise. The flag should never be carried flat or horizontally, but always aloft and free. The flag should never be fastened, displayed, used, or stored so that it might be easily torn, soiled, or damaged in any way.
Is it disrespectful to fly a flag on a truck?
Flying the American flag in the bed of a pickup truck
isn’t a traffic violation
, but it could be a patriotic issue if left unchecked. Flying the American flag in the bed of a pickup truck isn’t a traffic violation, but it could be a patriotic issue if left unchecked.
What does the black American flag stand for?
In general, black flags are used by enemy forces to
signify that enemy combatants are going to be killed rather than taken prisoner
—essentially, the opposite of the white flag used to represent surrender. This is also sometimes referred to as “give no quarter.”
