VFW ceremony will send tattered flags on their way

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Over time even the best-made United States flag can become tattered and faded. And when a flag is no longer a fitting emblem, protocol is to burn it.

The Rosemount VFW Post 9433 will host a flag burning ceremony from 4 to 5 p.m. Dec. 29 at the post. VFW Commander Marvin Jansma said they will take and dispose of worn flags.

Jansma said the post already has more than 100 flags they will retire. The event will start with a ceremony. Each flag will then be burned as Taps is played by a bugler. Because some of the flags are quite large, the fire to dispose of them will be fairly large.

The flags are turned in to the VFW for disposal by residents, groups and businesses. Jansma said it’s up to the discretion of the flag owner as to when the flags should be disposed of but he said flags that look battered or that have lost a lot of color should be considered.

The Rosemount VFW had planned to hold a Flag Burning Ceremony in October but the dry fall conditions forced the post to reschedule.

Piggybacking on the Flag Burning Ceremony, the Post 9433 Men’s Auxiliary will host a rib dinner that’s open to the public. Auxiliary president Rich Henning said proceeds from the dinner will go the post’s maintenance fund to help defray costs for new well equipment.

The post’s well broke down earlier this fall. Repairs included a new screen, well head and pump. Jansma said it cost the post more than $5,000.

The rib dinner will run from 5 to 8 p.m. Cost of the dinner is $10 for adults and $6 for youth. Henning said the dinner will include generous portions of barbecue ribs, coleslaw and fries.

The Rosemount VFW?is located at 2625 230th St.

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