U.S. flags retire at OLS

In advance of Flag Day on June 14, members of the Msgr. Frank J. Wade Fourth Degree Knights of Columbus Assembly at Our Lady of Sorrows Catholic Church joined forces with American Heritage Girls Troop AL-1478 to conduct a retirement ceremony for worn United States flags. For six hours on June 11 at the church, Knights collected nearly 30 frayed and faded flags from the public and had replacement flags available for purchase. The patriotic ceremony to retire tattered flags was held that evening following a prayer by OLS Associate Pastor Father George Maniangattu. Knights and American Heritage Girls respectfully placed the flags into the fire as onlookers placed their right hands over their hearts. Burning is the preferred way to retire U.S. flags. They cannot be buried or discarded.

– Submitted by Francis Smith.