CLARKSVILLE, TN (CLARKSVILLE NOW) – On Flag Day this week, the Montgomery County Veterans Service Organization held its annual Flag Day Retirement Ceremony at VFW Post 4895. Around 800 American flags were disposed of honorably by burning.

The ceremony is held to properly destroy worn, damaged, or otherwise unserviceable American flags in a dignified and proper manner.

The Montgomery County Veterans Service Organization (VSO), held its annual Flag Day Retirement Ceremony at VFW Post 4895 on, June 14, 2022. (Lee Erwin)
The Montgomery County Veterans Service Organization (VSO), held its annual Flag Day Retirement Ceremony at VFW Post 4895 on, June 14, 2022. (Lee Erwin)
The Montgomery County Veterans Service Organization (VSO), held its annual Flag Day Retirement Ceremony at VFW Post 4895 on, June 14, 2022. (Lee Erwin)
The Montgomery County Veterans Service Organization (VSO), held its annual Flag Day Retirement Ceremony at VFW Post 4895 on, June 14, 2022. (Lee Erwin)
Girl Scouts from Troop 4022 at the Montgomery County Veterans Service Organization (VSO) annual Flag Day Retirement Ceremony at VFW Post 4895 on, June 14, 2022. (Lee Erwin)
The Montgomery County Veterans Service Organization (VSO), held its annual Flag Day Retirement Ceremony at VFW Post 4895 on, June 14, 2022. (Lee Erwin)
The Montgomery County Veterans Service Organization (VSO), held its annual Flag Day Retirement Ceremony at VFW Post 4895 on, June 14, 2022. (Lee Erwin)
Guests at the Montgomery County Veterans Service Organization (VSO) annual Flag Day Retirement Ceremony at VFW Post 4895 on, June 14, 2022. (Lee Erwin)
The Montgomery County Veterans Service Organization (VSO), held its annual Flag Day Retirement Ceremony at VFW Post 4895 on, June 14, 2022. (Lee Erwin)
The Montgomery County Veterans Service Organization (VSO), held its annual Flag Day Retirement Ceremony at VFW Post 4895 on, June 14, 2022. (Lee Erwin)
The Montgomery County Veterans Service Organization (VSO), held its annual Flag Day Retirement Ceremony at VFW Post 4895 on, June 14, 2022. (Lee Erwin)
Clarksville Fire Rescue Firefighters at the Montgomery County Veterans Service Organization (VSO) annual Flag Day Retirement Ceremony at VFW Post 4895 on, June 14, 2022. (Lee Erwin)
The Montgomery County Veterans Service Organization (VSO), held its annual Flag Day Retirement Ceremony at VFW Post 4895 on, June 14, 2022. (Lee Erwin)
The Montgomery County Veterans Service Organization (VSO), held its annual Flag Day Retirement Ceremony at VFW Post 4895 on, June 14, 2022. (Lee Erwin)
The Montgomery County Veterans Service Organization (VSO), held its annual Flag Day Retirement Ceremony at VFW Post 4895 on, June 14, 2022. (Lee Erwin)
The Montgomery County Veterans Service Organization (VSO), held its annual Flag Day Retirement Ceremony at VFW Post 4895 on, June 14, 2022. (Lee Erwin)

“We are retiring flags that have been turned in from our community,” Montgomery County Veterans Service Director Andrew Kester said. “It is just the proper way to render honors and to retire these colors.”

Firefighters from Clarksville Fire Rescue, Station #3, were on site as a safety precaution and to assist with the ceremony. Two Girl Scouts – Brownie Aurora Kangas and Daisy Diana Kangas – with Troop 4022 also participated in the event.

Damaged or worn U.S. flags can be dropped off Monday-Friday between 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., throughout the year, at the VSO, 350 Pageant Lane, Suite 405, in Veterans Plaza.