Granby American Legion Post #182 joined with Riverton Grange #169 for its Third Annual American Flag Retirement Ceremony recently with almost 30 participants aged 9 to 92 participating. This solemn ceremony, authorized by U.S. code title 36, section 176, 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.”
Riverton Grange President and West Granby resident Dave Roberts served as Master of Ceremony for the program held at a private residence on the bank of the Farmington River in Pleasant Valley. Commander Tim Sweeney served as the Honor Guard Commander for the ceremony where over 1,000 torn, tattered and used up American flags were retired in a massive bonfire.
Three years ago, Riverton Grange learned about the need for a non-profit organization to organize a solemn and respectful ceremony for properly retiring American flags. The community Grange conferred with the local Riverton American Legion Post #159 and decided to host the first ceremony in 2020 when 24 flags were retired. The number of flags needing proper retirement grew to a few hundred last year and the event moved to a private residence located on the Farmington River in Barkhamsted. Retiring flags provides a service to the community and the nation.
Riverton Grange President Dave Roberts said, “We are so pleased to partner with Riverton American Legion Post #159 Honor Guard, Town of Barkhamsted and First Selectman Don Stein, singer Lorraine Paul, Barkhamsted Senior Center, Granby American Legion Post #182, and the Barkhamsted and Northwestern CT Cyber Lions Clubs. There is such a need in our region for this service and the Riverton Grange is pleased to help fill this need. At the Granby Memorial Day Parade, I spoke to Cliff Burrell and invited Granby American Legion Post #182 to join with us and they enthusiastically accepted.”
Attendees included Connecticut State Representative (and veteran) Mark W. Anderson, American Legion National Committeeman Joe Jackson, former Connecticut American Legion Auxiliary President Joanne Jackson, and members of Granby American Legion Post #182.
In addition to the annual American Flag Retirement Ceremony and the annual Veterans Appreciation Dinner, Riverton Grange also hosts the Veteran of the Month initiative on the first Sunday of each month, when a veteran from anywhere in the local region can be selected to be honored by Riverton Grange. An American flag is flown for one month in honor of the veteran or their family. The following month, the veteran or their family is presented with the American flag, a shadow box for displaying the flag, and a Certificate of Appreciation signed by the National Grange President. The 14th scheduled ceremony is on Sunday, July 3, at 6 p.m. at the Barkhamsted Senior Center. If you would like to nominate a veteran, living or deceased, from throughout the local region, please contact Riverton Grange President Dave Roberts at 858-775-9241 or dave@daveroberts.org