In the 245 years that Americans have been waving our flag with pride, it’s not surprising that some have worn out. But the Stars and Stripes cannot simply be thrown into the garbage as this is considered disrespectful. According to the National Flag Federation, there are just a few ways to properly retire an American flag and thankfully, one is now available here in the Morongo Basin.
To benefit our patriotic community, the Twentynine Palms Public Cemetery District has recently installed a receptacle bin for proper American flag disposal located on the south side of their building at 5350 Encelia Drive. For more info, call 760-367-9316.
The U.S. Flag Code states: “The flag, when it is in such condition that it is no longer a fitting emblem for display, should be destroyed in a dignified way, preferably by burning.”
According to the National Flag Foundation, other methods of disposing a flag include burning a folded flag (with ceremony) and then burying the ashes, burying the entire flag within a wooden box, or donating the flag to businesses who recycle the materials to make new flags.
And, if it can be helped, never let an American flag touch the ground.
