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Flag retirement ceremony part of Memorial Day activities in W.Va.

INSTITUTE, W.Va. — Hundreds of American, state and military branch flags have been retired this Memorial Day.

The Honor Guard Association hosted a ceremony Monday at the Donel C. Kinnard Memorial State Veterans Cemetery in Kanawha County.

The ceremony is held every year for worn or tattered flags that need to be disposed. Military members and people from the community showed up to burn flags for their loved ones.

Bob Pryor, a member of the Honor Guard, said they do this in a way that shows as much respect to the flags as possible.

Each person made sure to give a proper salute after placing each flag in the fire.

“This is an appropriate way, what we call protocol. To destroy or retire the American flags is to burn the flag in a solemn ceremony,” he explained.

A flag retirement is also meant to serve as a symbol of patriotism. Pryor said they do this to honor veterans.

“It’s just a tribute we pay to all those who have gone before us,” he said. “These flags have served a purpose. They’re worn, torn and battered.”

Pryor is a U.S. Marine Corps Veteran who served from 1961-1966. He said Memorial Day is special because it’s a time to remember the men and women who “fought and died for that flag” like he did.

Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, the Patriot Guard and others also came by to discard flags.

The cemetery, where the event took place, is located near the West Virginia State Police Academy.





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