CLARKSVILLE, TN (CLARKSVILLE NOW) – The Montgomery County Veterans Service Organization, along with Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 4895, hosted their annual Flag Day Retirement Ceremony on Friday at the VFW Post on Haynes Street.

The ceremony is held to destroy worn, damaged or unserviceable American flags by burning them in a respectful manner. Hundreds of flags of various sizes were burned during the ceremony.

Annual Flag Day Retirement Ceremony at the VFW Post on Haynes Street on June 14, 2024. (Wesley Irvin)
Annual Flag Day Retirement Ceremony at the VFW Post on Haynes Street on June 14, 2024. (Wesley Irvin)
VFW Post Sergeant at the annual Flag Day Retirement Ceremony at the VFW Post on Haynes Street on June 14, 2024. (Wesley Irvin)
Annual Flag Day Retirement Ceremony at the VFW Post on Haynes Street on June 14, 2024. (Wesley Irvin)
Stacey Hopwood at the annual Flag Day Retirement Ceremony at the VFW Post on Haynes Street on June 14, 2024. (Wesley Irvin)
Girl Scouts at the annual Flag Day Retirement Ceremony at the VFW Post on Haynes Street on June 14, 2024. (Wesley Irvin)
VFW Post Commander at the annual Flag Day Retirement Ceremony at the VFW Post on Haynes Street on June 14, 2024. (Wesley Irvin)
Annual Flag Day Retirement Ceremony at the VFW Post on Haynes Street on June 14, 2024. (Wesley Irvin)
Annual Flag Day Retirement Ceremony at the VFW Post on Haynes Street on June 14, 2024. (Wesley Irvin)
Annual Flag Day Retirement Ceremony at the VFW Post on Haynes Street on June 14, 2024. (Wesley Irvin)
Annual Flag Day Retirement Ceremony at the VFW Post on Haynes Street on June 14, 2024. (Wesley Irvin)
Annual Flag Day Retirement Ceremony at the VFW Post on Haynes Street on June 14, 2024. (Wesley Irvin)
Annual Flag Day Retirement Ceremony at the VFW Post on Haynes Street on June 14, 2024. (Wesley Irvin)
Stacey Hopwood at the annual Flag Day Retirement Ceremony at the VFW Post on Haynes Street on June 14, 2024. (Wesley Irvin)
Annual Flag Day Retirement Ceremony at the VFW Post on Haynes Street on June 14, 2024. (Wesley Irvin)

Stacey Hopwood recited U.S. Code Title 36, Section 176, to explain to the audience why the flags were being burned: “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.”

Firefighters from Clarksville Fire Rescue Station 3 were present to ensure safety during the flag burning.