Belleville American Legion Burns 500 U.S. Flags To Retire Them

BELLEVILLE, NJ — It was a Friday in Belleville, and smoke from hundreds of burning flags wafted into the air near American Legion Post 105 on Washington Avenue.

The solemn display – done to “retire” U.S. flags in disrepair – included a three-hour watch from local veterans at the legion and members of the Sons of the American Legion (SAL) Squadron 105.

The Belleville American Legion, which is allowed to perform the ceremony, held its latest incarnation earlier this month in the parking lot of the post at 621 Washington Avenue. More than 500 flags were retired.

As part of the “Ceremony for Disposal of Unserviceable Flags,” post commander Joseph Cobianchi reiterated that “the flag, when it is in such condition that it is no longer a fitting emblem of display, should be destroyed in a dignified way, preferably by burning.”

“Let these faded flags of our country be retired and destroyed with respectful and honorable rites and their places be taken by bright new flags of the same size and kind,” Cobianchi declared.

See photos from the ceremony in the above gallery.

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