Matawan Boy Scout Troop 66 Participates In Flag Retirement

MATAWAN, NJ — Last Tuesday night, the Boy Scouts of Troop 66 in Matawan assisted with the flag retirement ceremony at the Monmouth County Sheriff's office.

The Matawan-Aberdeen Boy Scouts helped to retire more than 1,500 American flags that were collected by Sheriff Shaun Golden and his officers. Scoutmaster Rob Kee explained the process of how American flags are respectfully retired:

When American flags are no longer "serviceable," meaning they have become torn, tattered, dirty, discolored or they have touched the ground in a significant way, they are not supposed to be flown.

Most towns have drop boxes where the flags can be deposited for "retirement." Aberdeen and Matawan have had boxes for years. Monmouth County, via the Sheriff's Office, has just started putting collection boxes out.

While there is no specific ceremony, the U.S. Flag Code states: "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."

During such flag-retirement ceremonies, the young men of the Boy Scouts are given some history of the U.S. flag, followed by an unfolding of a flag for the Pledge of Allegiance. The flags are folded and then in a respectful manner placed on the fire. The fire remains lit until the flags have fully burned.

Firefighters from the Monmouth County Fire Academy were on hand to make sure the event was safe.

American flags that are collected locally in Aberdeen and Matawan are retired by Troop 66 during their annual summer camp trip to Forestburg Scout Reservation.