Rockford Boy Scouts Hold Flag Retirement Ceremony
By: Alex de Leon
Updated: July 3, 2012
Rockford - On the night before the nation's birthday, local boy scouts retire some of our nation's flags.
They do it by destroying them what's believed to be a dignified manner. They fold them and then burn them.
It's an annual tradition for the Scouts. Leaders say it's a good way to teach kids about our nation's history. "This is a way of teaching boys this is a respectful way to honor the flag" says John Sutherland, Asst. Scout Master, Troop 23. "It's also a way to teach them that a flag is something we should revere."
The Scouts burn the flags today because in 1818, Congress said a star would be added to the flag on July 4th and that meant all the old flags had to be retired.
They do it by destroying them what's believed to be a dignified manner. They fold them and then burn them.
It's an annual tradition for the Scouts. Leaders say it's a good way to teach kids about our nation's history. "This is a way of teaching boys this is a respectful way to honor the flag" says John Sutherland, Asst. Scout Master, Troop 23. "It's also a way to teach them that a flag is something we should revere."
The Scouts burn the flags today because in 1818, Congress said a star would be added to the flag on July 4th and that meant all the old flags had to be retired.
