CLARKSVILLE, TN (CLARKSVILLE NOW) – On Wednesday, the Montgomery County Veterans Service Organization, and Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 4895 held their annual Flag Day Retirement Ceremony at the VFW Post on Haynes Street.

The ceremony takes place to destroy – by burning – worn, damaged or otherwise unserviceable American flags in a dignified and proper manner. Close to 1,600 flags of all sizes, most of them American flags, were burned in the ceremony.

The Montgomery County Veterans Service Organization (VSO) held its annual Flag Day Retirement Ceremony on Jun. 14, 2023. (Lee Erwin)
Clarksville Fire Rescue Fighters, Jarrett Gibson, Hunter Rye, & Tyler Ziolkowski, at the Montgomery County Veterans Service Organization (VSO) annual Flag Day Retirement Ceremony on Jun. 14, 2023. (Lee Erwin)
The Montgomery County Veterans Service Organization (VSO) held its annual Flag Day Retirement Ceremony on Jun. 14, 2023. (Lee Erwin)
Stacey Hopwood speaking at the Montgomery County Veterans Service Organization (VSO) annual Flag Day Retirement Ceremony on Jun. 14, 2023. (Lee Erwin)
The Montgomery County Veterans Service Organization (VSO) held its annual Flag Day Retirement Ceremony on Jun. 14, 2023. (Lee Erwin)
The Montgomery County Veterans Service Organization (VSO) held its annual Flag Day Retirement Ceremony on Jun. 14, 2023. (Lee Erwin)
The Montgomery County Veterans Service Organization (VSO) held its annual Flag Day Retirement Ceremony on Jun. 14, 2023. (Lee Erwin)
The Montgomery County Veterans Service Organization (VSO) held its annual Flag Day Retirement Ceremony on Jun. 14, 2023. (Lee Erwin)
The Montgomery County Veterans Service Organization (VSO) held its annual Flag Day Retirement Ceremony on Jun. 14, 2023. (Lee Erwin)
The Montgomery County Veterans Service Organization (VSO) held its annual Flag Day Retirement Ceremony on Jun. 14, 2023. (Lee Erwin)
The Montgomery County Veterans Service Organization (VSO) held its annual Flag Day Retirement Ceremony on Jun. 14, 2023. (Lee Erwin)
The Montgomery County Veterans Service Organization (VSO) held its annual Flag Day Retirement Ceremony on Jun. 14, 2023. (Lee Erwin)
The Montgomery County Veterans Service Organization (VSO) held its annual Flag Day Retirement Ceremony on Jun. 14, 2023. (Lee Erwin)
The Montgomery County Veterans Service Organization (VSO) held its annual Flag Day Retirement Ceremony on Jun. 14, 2023. (Lee Erwin)
The Montgomery County Veterans Service Organization (VSO) held its annual Flag Day Retirement Ceremony on Jun. 14, 2023. (Lee Erwin)
The Montgomery County Veterans Service Organization (VSO) held its annual Flag Day Retirement Ceremony on Jun. 14, 2023. (Lee Erwin)
The Montgomery County Veterans Service Organization (VSO) held its annual Flag Day Retirement Ceremony on Jun. 14, 2023. (Lee Erwin)

The VSO, located in Veterans Plaza on Pageant Lane, collects flags to be retired throughout the year for the ceremony.

“As we do every year, we come together on Flag Day, June 14, in order to properly retire worn and unserviceable flags,” VSO Assistant Director Stacey Hopwood said. “Our flag code does specify that it is preferred to be done by burning. We’re appreciative of everyone who brings us their flags and as always, we will start collecting tomorrow for next Flag Day.”

Firefighters from Clarksville Fire Rescue Station 3 were on hand to assist with safety for the burning of the flags, and two Brownies from Girl Scout Troop 970, sisters Aurora and Diana Kangas, also helped with the ceremony.