Vulcan Park and Museum holds first flag retirement ceremony

Vulcan Park and Museum held a flag retirement ceremony on Wednesday evening, June 24 to raise awareness of proper flag etiquette. Vulcan Museum also accepted worn flags from the community to be retired properly.

“With Vulcan being the symbol of our community, we try to teach young people about what symbols mean,” said Darlene Negrotto, president and CEO of Vulcan Park and Museum. “We thought this was a great opportunity for us to remind the community of the importance of our flag and what our soldiers have fought for and to provide an opportunity for folks to have their old, worn flags retired.”

Negrotto said she didn’t anticipate receiving many flags, but said the museum would be holding this event again in the future.

The Birmingham Army Recruiting Company was in attendance to retrieve the flag for the park. The ceremony was commanded by 1st Sgt. Joseph Kishel. The flag was larger than the company anticipated, so Kishel recruited the aid of Morgan Berney, director of marketing and public relations for Vulcan.

“I think that gave [the ceremony] even more special meaning that she was able to be a part of the folding of the flag that she will cherish forever,” Kishel said. “I think it set a good precedent for our community to see that the Army cares about its community and that we’re involved."

Berney said she was not expecting to help perform the ceremony, but was glad she had the opportunity to do her part.

“It was very humbling,” Berney said. “It was a surreal experience that not an everyday civilian would get to experience. I will always remember this, and hopefully I will be able to do this again.”