- Navy Reserve Sailors from Navy Operational Support Center Jacksonville and Scouts from Boy Scout Troop 25 and Pack 25 render a salute after placing unserviceable flags in a fire during an American flag retirement ceremony on Naval Air Station Jacksonville. (U.S. Navy photo by Chief Mass Communication Specialist Elizabeth Thompson)
In honor of Flag Day, more than 60 Navy Reservists, Boy Scouts, fire fighters and community supporters gathered at Patriot’s Grove on Naval Air Station Jacksonville June 14 to participate in an “Old Glory” flag retirement ceremony.
Approximately 25 unserviceable U.S. flags were retired by fire in a ceremony hosted by the Navy Operational Support Center Jacksonville Chief Petty Officer Association, Boy Scout Troop 25 and Pack 25, and members of the NAS Jacksonville Fire Department.
When a U.S. flag becomes worn, torn, faded, or badly soiled, the flag should be retired with dignity and respect befitting it. The traditional method of retirement is to incinerate the flag, first cutting it into pieces and then placing those pieces separately in a fire. Not all ceremonies require the dismemberment of the flag before it is burned but showing dignity and respect is a must.
“The focal point of this is to teach the tradition and make sure our folks adhere to our long standing tradition of respect for the flag,” said Master Chief Avionics Technician Jim Garlington, who officiated the ceremony and is a member of the NOSC Jacksonville CPOA and a retired Boy Scout commissioner.
With all the negative and painful events happening in the United States recently, the ceremony also helped reassure others that there are still positive things taking place within our nation said Garlington.
“It offsets some of the things happening today and gives you faith again in what we can do as Americans. The turnout today is one of the main reasons that restore your faith,” he said.
The majority if the flags retired that day were donated by Al Bagocius, a former U.S. Marine and writer for BUZZ Magazine, who collected them over several years during visits to cemeteries where the constant exposure to outdoor elements can quickly age and damage flags.
- Chief Information Systems Technician Earl Stewart and Boatswain’s Mate Seaman John Bradley, both Navy Reserve Sailors assigned to units under Navy Operational Support Center Jacksonville, place an unserviceable flag in a fire during an American flag retirement ceremony on Naval Air Station Jacksonville. (U.S. Navy photo by Chief Mass Communication Specialist Elizabeth Thompson)
“I served in the Marines back in the early ’70s and always had a deep reverence and respect for our country. Our flag exemplifies that reverence and respect, so in my mind, our flag is sacred,” said Bagocius. “Just as our heroes of yesterday, today and tomorrow deserve a proper retirement into eternity, so do our flags.”
Looking for a way to retire the flags he had collected, Bagocius turned to volunteers at the USS Adams Museum who were still serving in the military. This connection eventually led him to the CPOA and Garlington who coordinated with the Boy Scouts and base to set up.
Bagocius and members of the USS Adams Museum were also in attendance for the ceremony and participated in retiring one of the flags. In appreciation for the hard work and planning that went into the retirement ceremony, Bagocius donated $1000 in media services to the museum.
“The ceremony orchestrated by the U.S. Navy and Boy Scout Troop 25 was nothing less than spectacular,” said Bagocius. “It was a show of respect, reverence and unity of mission, one that I was very proud to be part of.”