When members of Good Samaritan Catholic Church noticed the American flag standing outside the church was looking weathered, they knew something needed to be done. Their Knights of Columbus Council stepped forward to replace the flag that is clearly visible to everyone driving to the downtown square on South Main Street.
“The flag at our social hall of the church had gotten faded and torn by high winds,” said Grand Knight Larry Turner of the council. “We have a group in the Knights called the Patriotic Degree, and we like to do everything we can to support patriotic events. Our honor guard had participated in the recent Memorial Day observance, and it was there we met Fred McGill of the American Legion.”
After learning from McGill the American Legion Riders could help them with a formal flag retirement ceremony, they all felt the upcoming Flag Day on June 14 would be entirely appropriate. Several attendees included church members, other citizens and members of the Captain James Kell Chapter of the National Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution.
“Fred has a description of every fold of the flag as they fold it into a triangle; he describes what each fold represents,” Turner explained. “We lowered the flag, and had the (Riders) fold it into a proper triangle. We presented the retired flag to our pastor, Father Bradley Starr, who presented it to the Legion (members), and then we had him bless the new flag before we put it up the flag pole. The Legion also came with a bugler, Bill Hall, and he played ‘Taps’ as the flag was being lowered, and then a ‘Call to Colors’ as the replacement flag was being raised.”
McGill, who serves as chaplain of the Legion Riders, elaborated on the ceremony.
“I talk a little bit about the flag, and as they start folding it, I explain what each and every fold stands for,” he said. “The other day when they got finished folding it, they presented it to me. Then I gave it to Larry Turner, and he gave it to the pastor. If they want to dispose of it, I take it after that. We make it military-style — we salute each other with our folding guys, then we put the new one up. It only takes 10 or 15 minutes, but it’s real touching. It’s something that makes us feel good. We enjoy it and love doing it. We always wear white shirts and our vests to look good.”
Jennifer Anderson with the Daughters of American Revolution said Old Glory “invokes such gratitude and emotion when you truly ponder its beginnings and the sacrifices that have been made to keep it flying.
“The American flag represents the vision, fortitude and sacrifices of our forefathers for a free and independent nation,” she said. “It also represents the men and women who have continued to fight and die for these freedoms. It is a great privilege for us to attend this ceremony to honor the flag and all that it symbolizes. We are grateful for the American Legion Riders’ continued efforts in our community to see that our flags are properly flown and retired with honor.”
Disposing of a flag
To have a worn or tattered American flag retired, take it to American Legion Post 82 at 297 Legion Road in Ellijay. Chaplain Fred McGill said the flag can be deposited on the porch of the facility in a box resembling a post office letter-drop receptacle. From time to time, the Legion will hold a flag-disposal ceremony and burn the flags properly.