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VFW Post 5877 retires flags, honors veterans for Flag Day

Aiken Standard - 6/15/2017

June 15--Iconic photos of the American flag have been used to symbolize triumphs, victories and hardships for the American people -- astronauts planting the flag on the moon, men hoisting the flag at Iwo Jima and at the ruins of the 9/11 terrorist attacks remind of us of where we have been and what we have gone through.

Flags had been celebrated at state and local levels on June 14 for years, but the date was designated National Flag Day in August 1949 by an Act of Congress signed by President Hatty S. Truman.

On Wednesday, Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 5877 celebrated Flag Day by properly retiring flags.

The ceremony started with the Pledge of Allegiance and a prayer, then guest Rear Admiral Dean Sackett told a story about meeting a group of young recruits headed for basic training.

After speaking to one of the recruits, Sackett said, he decided that "the young people in America aren't too bad."

Senior Vice Commander of Post 5877 Richard Chelchowski recognizes what an intense symbol of America the flag is.

"It represents the entire history of our country," he said. "If we don't respect the flag, and treat it in a dignifying manner, the country is not going to be respected around the world."

During his talk at the flag retiring ceremony, Post 5877 Commander Lowell Koppert discussed the effect the American flag and the national anthem have on citizens.

Chelchowski feels that effect.

"Every time when I was a kid, my uncle used to take me to Yankee stadium and whenever folks would stand up and sing the national anthem or the 'Star-Spangled Banner,' even today it sends chills up and down my spine," he said.

Nicholas and Kristine Zielinski, both retired from the Army, gave a demonstration on flag folding and proper flag techniques.

The ceremony moved outside and a flag was retired by veterans of each foreign war since World War II in honor of those who served in the conflicts. The old Post flag also retired, as was the flag from a member of the VFW who recently died. Around 90 flags were then retired by members of the Post and attendees of the event.

A reading of the poem "I Am the Flag" and the playing of "Taps" ended the ceremony honoring America's most recognizable and respected symbol.

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(c)2017 the Aiken Standard (Aiken, S.C.)

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