Traditionally, organizations such as the military, Boy Scouts, the American Legion and the Veterans of Foreign Wars have retired U.S. flags that are no longer usable because of excessive wear with a ceremony, where the flags are respectfully burned in an outdoor fire. Tender Care Veterinary Center has been hosting the ceremony for the past three years, adding a change to the tradition. On Sept. 29, Rick Wildman, a member of Calhan VFW Post 5221, which sponsored the ceremony, was on hand to help retire the flags, using Tender Care Veterinary Centerís crematorium.John Amen, co-owner of Tender Care, said he wanted to show people the proper way to retire used flags. With this method, there are no worries about bans against outdoor fires and the toxic fumes from burning flags made of synthetic materials. Also, with this method, the VFW collects the ashes of the flags to present to family members of military men and women killed in action but their bodies were never recovered or they were buried in another state. The ashes give the family members a tangible reminder of their loved one. The grommets are also recovered by the VFW to make bracelets to give to military family members.Before the ceremony started, Amen and Wildman loaded five boxes and three bags of folded U.S. flags of different sizes and a few other type flags into the crematorium.The ceremony consisted of a prayer by Wildman, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance. Then Amen and Clark ignited the crematorium. Amen estimated it would take 90 minutes to two hours for completion of the process. Amen has plans to put a collection box for used U.S. flags in the entryway of his veterinary center. The Calhan VFW conducts this ceremony twice a year.
