Local American Legion-American Legion Auxiliary members recently retired some 34 flags which have passed their prime in service to the Centre Civitan Club and their community.

Approximately 20 or so people gathered for a short ceremony at the American Legion Building in Centre recently. Cherokee County American Legion President Mack Allen opened the meeting by leading the Pledge of Allegiance and Joyce Allen, vice president, Cherokee County American Legion Auxiliary unit, shared a few words about the flags. Each person attending, following a brief prayer led by Mary Walden, Auxiliary President, was then allowed to take one or more flags and place them in a large canister for burning.

“These flags were given to the American Legion by the Centre Civitan Club,” said Mrs. Allen. “I’m sure most of you have noticed the flags throughout the year on holidays along the streets. They had some flags that needed to be disposed of because they were in no condition to be displayed any longer and asked the American Legion to dispose of them. We are doing it as a service to the community. These flags have reached their present state in proper service to all of us. When we see those flags that the Civitan Club puts out, it is a tribute to the love of our country.”

But whether an American Flag is in ragged condition or a beautiful banner of silk, Mrs. Allen said, “it’s real value is beyond price. It is a precious symbol of all that we as citizens have worked for and lived for and died for, a free nation, a free people, true to the faith of the task, devoted to the ideals of practice of justice, freedom and democracy. Let these faded flags of our country be retired and destroyed with respect and honorable rites.”

The Centre Civitan Club places flags out at local businesses on several holidays throughout the year.

“When I burn one, I think about those men who didn’t make it back,” said Local Citizen and World War II Veteran Blake Livingston. “I am thankful that I made it back. So this is old man is honored tonight to be disposing of these flags in this honorable way.”

Bert Schmidt, son-in-law to Mack and Joyce Allen, saluted the individual flags as they were officially retired from service. He has served as a flag detail person in the U.S. Army.

Two special guests at the ceremony were nine-year-old Kensley Yarbrough of Birmingham, granddaughter of Bess Yarbroughand nine-year-old Mary Beth Gaylor of Leesburg, Ga., granddaughterdaughter of Nancy Rochester.

Mrs. Yarbrough reminded her granddaughter to remember what she learned. Mrs. Rochester said this was her first flag retirement ceremony and was thankful her granddaughter had the opportunity to witness these rites.

“This is a political science lesson that they are getting at a young age,” said Rochester. “Mine didn’t come until today.