MARINE CORPS AIR STATION CHERRY POINT, N.C. (June 14, 2011) -- Marines and their families gathered together in celebration of Flag Day with a Flag Disposal Ceremony held at 2nd Low Altitude Air Defense Battalion June 14.
“We at 2nd LAAD have invited you all here today to help us celebrate what the flag of the United States means to millions around the globe,” said Lt. Col. Joel A. Burdette, the commanding officer of 2nd LAAD Bn. “During this ceremony we will be putting to rest the flags that are unserviceable that we have collected from our local community.”
The flag code states the flag represents a living country and is itself considered a living thing, and should never be dipped to any person or thing.
After a few Marines spoke on what the flag symbolized and meant to them, Burdette invited others to join him in the symbolic laying to rest of more than 40 unserviceable flags.
“The flag code says to dispose of the American flag in an honorable way,” said Burdette. “The best way to do that is to conduct a ceremony and have each flag burned. The code says to burn a flag in honor of the memories and symbolism of what the flag stands for is honorable. The first time you see one of these ceremonies you will never forget it.”