By Mandy McFarland Enquirer Coordinator
BREMEN — Thick smoke hung in the air as the last bits of red, white and blue cloth slowly turned to gray ashes. Nearby, members of the Bremen VFW/American Legion remained vigilant until the flames faded and the wire boxes cooled.
According to Bremen Post Commander/Third District Vice Commander of Marshall County Jay Kling, when an American flag becomes tattered, stained, faded or otherwise “unusable,” there is only one way to properly “retire” it; it must be ceremonially burned.

Last Saturday, June 20, the Bremen VFW/American Legion held its annual Flag Retirement (also known as a Flag Disposal) ceremony.
“It’s a symbol of our nation,” past District Commander Richard Richardson said. “And our nation should be pure.”
According to Kling, when an American flag is retired, it must first undergo two official inspections, the first by the second vice commander, then again by the first vice commander. Each must officially declare the flag “unusable,” but that it has flown proudly over the graves of American soldiers.
“Whether they be made of flimsy gauze or expensive silk, their intrinsic value, you can’t place a price on them,” Kling said.
Once the official declaration has been made and the flags have been lovingly folded and neatly stacked, they are respectfully set afire in a sort of cremation.
Following the retirement, the third district post held its annual convention, where they elected new officers and held a special ceremony to honor POW and MIA soldiers (Prisoners of War and Missing in Action).