Honoring old glory

On Tuesday a solemn ceremony to retire over 30 faded and tattered American flags was held on the Crescenta Valley High School baseball field. The ceremony was conducted by the school’s JROTC with support from members of the American Legion Post 288 and Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 1614.

“The American flag represents who we are as a nation,” said Lt. Col. Dave Worley, JROTC senior aerospace science instructor.

The ceremony consisted of cadets first cutting the stripes and blue field from the flag, and then handing them to a veteran who in turn placed the material on a bonfire in the middle of the field. Worley explained to the audience the recognized process to retire an American flag was by fire.

“Throughout our history, American people have stayed true to the values our flag represents,” he said. “We do not burn the flag in anger … We do this with the utmost respect and undying honor.”