A Burning Sense of Pride

As participants sang "God Bless America,'' veterans placed old flags onto the flames during a flag retirement ceremony Sunday, Sept. 18 at the

"Each of these flags has served us well,'' said post chaplain Walter Wojnar, who led the ceremony. They represented hope in the face of tyranny and terror, he said, and "welcomed any and all in the name of liberty.''

These retirement ceremonies are the only acceptable way to dispose of worn flags. A box outside the VFW is used to dispose of old flags.

Flags deposited in that box and those brought to the ceremony yesterday were burned.

Guests of honor included three World War II veterans from town and an empty bench, which stands unused to honor veterans who have died or been seriously injured and are therefore unable to attend ceremonies such as this one.