In observance of Flag Day, dozens of worn-out U.S. flags retired during Cedar City ceremonies

Written by Jeff Richards
June 15, 2024

CEDAR CITY — In honor of Flag Day on Friday evening, dozens of worn-out U.S. flags were respectfully retired in two separate ceremonies an hour apart in downtown Cedar City.

An honor guard composed of Civil Air Patrol cadets conducts a flag retirement ceremony at Cedar City Veterans Memorial Park, Cedar City, Utah, June 14, 2024 | Photo by Jeff Richards, St. George News / Cedar City News

At the first event, held at Cedar City’s Veterans Memorial Park, Civil Air Patrol cadets, in conjunction with members of the Southern Utah Veterans Association, conducted a solemn 45-minute ceremony that started with the singing of the national anthem and the reciting of the Pledge of Allegiance.

Cadet Second Lieutenant Micah Rigby, who served as the emcee for the event, then spoke briefly about the U.S. flag, commonly known as “Old Glory.”

“It is a flag that has flown over us during our greatest triumphs and our worst disasters,” Rigby said. “It has flown since our nation’s inception 248 years ago, and God willing, will continue to fly for hundreds of years to come.”

“It is a flag of our people,” he added. “It is due to these reasons that once every year in June, we dedicate an entire day to rendering the proper respect and honor to our flag. Today, those respects will be rendered by our own Civil Air Patrol Color Guard.”

Rigby also talked about the significance of the each 13 folds needed to properly fold up a U.S. flag.

The ceremony concluded with the burning of approximately 15 flags, one by one, in a small fire barrel. The cadets took turns unfolding the flags and lowering them into the flames. Each cadet then performed a salute and slowly walked to resume their place in the formation.

Boy Scouts and leaders from local Troop 1848 participate in a flag retirement ceremony, Cedar City, Utah, June 14, 2024 | Photo by Jeff Richards, St. George News / Cedar City News

Shortly after that ceremony had finished, another one began at 6 p.m. a couple blocks away in a vacant lot on 100 East, across the street from Cedar City’s Library in the Park.

That second ceremony was simpler but no less solemn, as Boy Scouts and leaders from local Troop 1848, along with members of American Legion Post 74 and their families, took turns lowering approximately 30 worn-out flags into a small bonfire.

According to Section 8 of the U.S. Flag code,”The flag, when it is in such condition that it is no longer a fitting emblem for display, should be destroyed in a dignified way, preferably by burning.”

It marked the second straight year that the two groups had conducted such events on Flag Day. Click here to see Cedar City News’ coverage of last year’s ceremonies.

Local residents who have worn-out flags in need of disposal are welcome to contact a representative or member of either the American Legion or the Southern Utah Veterans Association.

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Copyright St. George News, SaintGeorgeUtah.com LLC, 2024, all rights reserved.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Jeff Richards, a native of Salt Lake City with family roots in Panguitch, lived in Moab for 20 years before joining St. George News in 2017. Jeff is a longtime journalist and secondary school teacher. He and his wife Penny are the parents of five daughters. They also have three young grandsons and one granddaughter. Jeff and his family enjoy swimming, camping, sightseeing, reading, and taking pictures.

Email: [email protected]
Twitter: @stgnews@moabjeff@stgnewssports

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