by: Sandra Starks
Do you have an American flag that has seen better days? Are you wondering what is the proper way to dispose of a flag that is discolored, torn, frayed or damaged?
Here is your opportunity to properly dispose of your old flag. Bring it to Forest Lawn Cemetery on Sunday, June 13th at 6:00 p.m. and participate in the second annual Flag Retirement Ceremony, to be held near the gravesite of one of the founders of Flag Day and a Buffalo schoolteacher, Sara Hinson.
Prior to the ceremony you and your family can visit with Ms. Hinson, purchase a new flag, (the proceeds will go to the Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts of WNY, American Legion and Forest Lawn Heritage Foundation) talk with firefighters, see their pumper engines and learn about scouting, Forest Lawn and the American Legion.
At 6:00 p.m., the ceremony will provide a formal, reverent and respectful way for
Western New York residents to retire their flags, according to the Flag Code of the United States. Honor the service your flag has provided by attending the flag retirement ceremony and presenting your flag for decommissioning. Buffalo’s own
Mary Kate O’Connell will the lead the audience in a rendition of
The Star Spangled Banner.
Also available will be a limited edition poster that was designed Richard Kegler, Executive Director of the Western New York Book Arts Collaborative. This poster was pressure printed in Red & Blue with a silver letterpress overprint. FLAG DAY were letters extracted from Forest Lawn gravestone rubbings. Proceeds from the sale of the poster go to the participating organizations and the WNY Book Arts Collaborative.
For more information please click here or call 885-1600.
Hope to see you there!