Don't Miss This Next Year

Due to the involvement of my husband in General Motors' Veterans Affinity Group, I had the privilege of attending a moving and wonderful event on June 13th.  For the fourth year in a row, Oakland County's Civil Air Patrol cadets working with Chrysler's and General Motors' veterans groups hosted a flag burning ceremony.  When American flags become too worn or torn to be used any longer, it is appropriate to burn them in a dignified and respectful manner.  Last night over 250 flags were retired properly through this ceremony.

Upon our arrival, we were politely invited by one of the CAP cadets to join in the event if we wished.  There were a few spectators and about a dozen CAP cadets and officers present.  All the large flags were laid out in a pile on a table.  Two cadets stood by the table.  The rest of the cadets, and the civilians who chose to participate lined up.  A fire was burning on the ground nearby. I got in line behind one of the CAP cadets.  As we approached the table we were handed a flag and then carefully walked it over to the fire and placed the flag on it, then returned to the end of the line. As there were a large number of flags to retire, this took about 20 minutes.   As the procession back and forth from the table to the fire was going on, one of the CAP officers was reading names of all the Michigan people who had been killed in action during the Afghanistan and Iraq conflicts.  These flags were dedicated to those men and women who gave their lives for our country. Following the reading of these names, we dedicated flags to the present service persons from all over the USA, and to all our living veterans.  We dedicated one to the unknown soldiers.  

I was nearly moved to tears to have this sacred privilege as a citizen of this country.  At one point, a flag dedicated to a particular service person who had lost his life in the current conflicts was named.  A couple came up and, along with one of the cadets, carried that flag to the pyre together.  Though nothing was said, I couldn't help but imagine that that family had some kind of relationship to the fallen hero.

Once all flags were properly retired to the fire, we stood as Taps was played.  The CAP commander read a short verse about our flag, and we were thanked for our participation by him, as well as by a representative from the UAW Veterans' group.  

As my mother, my husband and I later reflected, it was too bad that this event didn't have more publicity.  It would have been a great means to teach important lessons about our country to school children, for example.  Boy and Girl Scout troops would have benefited from participation in the ceremony as well.  

This event took place near the Oakland County Sheriff's Department office in the Oakland County complex off Telegraph and Pontiac Lake Roads.  It was said that another such event would be planned for next year, on the eve of Flag Day.  I hope you readers will consider making a calendar entry right now, to attend this event next year.  It is a simple, profound and moving way to respect our nation's flag, and to learn about it's proper use and disposal.  It's a real privilege to be able to witness and to participate in this special event.