How to properly retire an American flag

Members of the American Legion Post 208 in Waxhaw, NC retired about 300 to 500 American flags during a ceremony on Sunday.

The flags were dropped off in various drop boxes around Waxhaw.

"We systematically collect them, and then hold a ceremony for these flags who have served our community," said Commander Wallace L. Higgins.

Attached are pictures from the event.

The National Flag Foundation provides the following guide for conducting a patriotic flag burning ceremony:

Ceremony of Final Tribute:

"Ceremonial Burning"

Fire Preparation:

It is important that the fire be sizable -- preferably having burnt down to a bed of red hot coals to avoid bits of the flag being carried off by a roaring fire -- yet be of sufficient intensity to ensure complete burning of the flag.

Flag Preparation:

The color guard assigned to the flag opens up it tri-corner fold and then refolds the flag in a coffin-shaped rectangle.

When all is ready: