The cubs and scouts start the flag retirement.

On Saturday, Sept. 11, Lake Oconee Elks Lodge members and Cub Pack/Boy Scout Troop 30 joined to remember the events of Sept. 11, 2001, when a series of four coordinated terrorist attacks by the militant Islamist group al-Qaeda took place against the United States of America. There were 2,996 deaths on a day that will never be forgotten.  

The program started with Elk Bill Lewis leading all in the Pledge of Allegiance to the flag. He then called out the times of the four terrorist attacks. At 8:45 a.m., American Airlines Boeing 767 loaded with 20,000 gallons of jet fuel crashed into the north tower of the World Trade Center in New York City. It stuck near the 80th floor of the 110 story skyscraper, instantly killing hundreds of people and trapping hundreds on higher floors. Then, 18 minutes later, a second Boeing 767 United Airlines Flight 175 crashed into the south tower near the 60th floor. As people learned of these events and started watching on tv, American Airlines Flight 77 crashed into the west side of the Pentagon at 9:45 a.m. In all, 125 military personnel and civilians were killed in the Pentagon along with 64 people on the airplane. Lastly, a fourth plane, United Flight 93 was hijacked about 40 minutes after leaving Newark International Airport in New Jersey. Knowing the aircraft would not be returning, a group of passengers and flight attendants planned an insurrection. The passengers fought the four hijackers and are suspected to have attacked the cockpit with a fire extinguisher. The plane then sped toward the ground at 500 miles per hour, crashing in a rural field near Shanksville in western Pennsylvania at 10:10 a.m. All 44 people aboard were killed.  

After the remembrance of the 9/11 events, Cub Pack and Boy Scout Troop 30 conducted a flag retirement ceremony in front of the Elks Lodge. Many Americans fly the U.S. flag at their homes and places of work, but what does one do with the flag when it gets old and torn and a new one is needed?  

To just throw it out would be disrespectful. There is etiquette for displaying the flag and there is also etiquette for disposing of flags in a dignified manner. The approved method of disposing of unserviceable flags has long been that they be destroyed by burning. The U. S. flag is considered such a sacred symbol that burning it in an undignified manner constitutes desecration. That’s why flag retirement ceremonies are held. The field of blue is cut out of the stripes to keep all 50 stars intact and then placed in the fire. All flags after that are then placed in the fire with a salute given. After the flags are all disposed of, the grommets from the flags are collected and stored in a container.

Lake Oconee Elks Lodge would like to thank Troop 30 cubs and scouts for conducting the flag retirement ceremony for this special occasion. The Troop always does a fantastic job. Thanks to Troop Leader Jennifer Lackey, Jeff Scott and Kim Scott. Also thanks to the Cubs and Scouts that attended: Luis Rodriguez, Landon Lyons, Ethan Scott, Jameson Lackey and Soren Alexander Dresch.