The flag of the United States can often be seen proudly waving above schools and government buildings, but day to day, not much thought is given to the action taken when it becomes tattered and worn.
The U.S. code stipulates, “When a U.S. flag is in such condition that it is no longer a fitting emblem for display, it should be destroyed in a dignified way, preferably by burning.”
It’s protocol to respectfully “retire” the flag with a ceremony to honor the symbol for our nation’s freedom, before it is burned.
Usually, those who lead the ceremony are men – veterans and community leaders, but the patriotic event held on May 23 at the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) Post 3834 in the City of San Fernando was led by a local Girl Scouts troop.
The event was hosted by Post 3834 as part of the Fourth Annual VFW National Day of Service – a veteran-led initiative launched in 2022 of community service projects throughout the month of May. This year’s day of service includes more than 2,000 events held nationwide.
The local Girl Scout Troop 3834 of Greater Los Angeles (GSGLA) partnered with the VFW, where they also hold their meetings. Troop leader Nidia Guardado said that when speaking to Raul Barragan, VFW District 7 commander, they found out there was a need for flag retirement ceremonies in the area after many old and damaged flags had been donated to the Post.
Guardado considered the event as a way for the Girl Scouts to give back both to the community and the location it calls home.
“This is our first service project for the community in regard to the retirement of the flags,” Guardado said. “We wanted to make sure we tied it with the Memorial Day weekend so that we honor the fallen men and women who’ve served.”
Troop 3834 had been coordinating the event with the local VFW Post since January, collecting more than 50 flags. However, since this was their first flag retirement ceremony, they decided to begin by holding a smaller event where they retired only eight.
Guardado explained that this ceremony was very important, not just in relation to the Post 3834 or Memorial Day, but for the Girl Scouts themselves. Past ceremonies have been held with the Boy Scouts.
“It’s something our troop is feeling very proud of – to do something that not many Girl Scouts are able to do, so it’s very significant,” Guardado said. “Hopefully, after this, maybe more Girl Scouts will start retiring flags.”
After the flags were burned, the ashes were buried right outside the VFW Post 3834 at the Blue Star Memorial, which honors San Fernando Valley residents who served in World War I, World War II and Vietnam.
Susanna Aquilino is a parent volunteer for Troop 3834 and a mother of five daughters – two of whom took part in the ceremony. She recalled how they initially wanted to hold a fundraiser, but the idea eventually changed to be a public event held with the community.
Aquilino expressed how meaningful the ceremony was, not just for local residents and military families, but for her daughters.
“These [experiences] are the bricks that are going to build who they are, and we want to instill that pride in freedom … and [the notion that] when you’re part of a community, you give back to the community,” Aquilino said. “I always want that for them, so I try to lead by example and I feel like we found a group that does that as well.”
While the flag retirement ceremony was certainly new for Girl Scouts Troop 3834, Aquilino explained they’ve previously held tributes on Memorial Day. Last year, they placed flags at the graves of the fallen at both the LA National Cemetery and San Fernando Mission Cemetery. Again this year, they joined other Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts troops in LA on Saturday before they placed flags at the cemetery in Mission Hills on Monday.
“It’s very special and we hope that little by little, they understand [its significance] and have joy and pride in that,” Aquilino said.
Troop 3834 is already scheduling another ceremony for November that will take place the weekend before Veterans Day, when they hope to retire more flags.