Now that Memorial Day is behind us and summer lay ahead, many people start thinking about their Independence Day festivities: buying fireworks, planning cookouts, etc. Between now and then, however, is a holiday that, tragically, is all too often overlooked.

The Manchester American Legion Post 78’s annual Flag Retirement Ceremony is currently scheduled for Saturday, June 13 at 5 p.m., at the Coffee County Veterans Building: 130 Shelton Road in Manchester. All members of the public, especially school age students, are encouraged to attend and learn more about our American Flag; and why old flags should always be ceremonially destroyed, with dignity and honor, according to prescribed ritual.

This ceremony is held each year on or near June 14, which is Flag Day – a holiday set aside for Americans to celebrate our national colors, the Stars & Stripes, in defense of which over a million men and women have sacrificed their lives.

This is a great time to replace any worn, faded, frayed or otherwise unserviceable flags with a new one. In addition to your own, look around you for any neighbors who may be sick or elderly: and offer to replace theirs as well if needed.

The American Flag, by law, is never to be thrown away in the trash! NEVER! Your Coffee County Veterans Association has four outdoor receptacles around Manchester, into which old flags may be deposited year-round.

In Tullahoma, Girl Scout Leader Greg Gressel says his troop is ready to take care of flags that need retirement.

“Girl Scout Troop 2163 holds several official Flag Retirement Ceremonies every year one of which is around Flag Day with others in the Spring and Fall,” Gressel said. “So they are putting out a call for all flags ready for retirement.”

If you would like to have any sized American flag retired please place it in a bag and drop it off at any door of South Jackson performing Arts Center (404 South Jackson Street) or First Church of the Nazarene (201 S. Polk Street). It will be given to the Troop to take care of it. As a reminder, a flag can be dropped at any these locations, any time of the year to be retired at the next ceremony available. And stay tuned for information on two permanent flag drop box installations in Tullahoma. Girl Scout Troop 2163 is honored to provide this service for their community.