Honoring Old Glory - The Garden Island

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Robin Sanchez, commander of the American Legion, Post 54, Kapaa, adds a flag to the fire pit being manned by Boys Scouts from Troop 148, Monday during the Legion’s Flag Day ceremonies at the Kauai Veterans Center.

Dennis Fujimoto/The Garden Island

Paula Schultz of the American Legion, Post 54, Kapaa and Mike Cano of Boy Scout Troop 133 help Girl Scouts Kaimalie Kinimaka and Sadie Stiglmeier of Girl Scout Troop 323 with retiring an old and worn American flag, Monday during the Legion’s Flag Day ceremonies at the Kauai Veterans Center.

Dennis Fujimoto/The Garden Island

Girl Scouts joined the Boy Scouts, Monday in helping the American Legion, Post 54, Kapaa retire old and worn American flags during the Flag Day ceremonies held at the Kauai Veterans Center.

Dennis Fujimoto/The Garden Island

Boy Scout Troop Leader Mike Kano of Troop 133 lends his support to Paula Schultz of the American Legion, Post 54, Kapaa in helping Boy and Girl scouts with retiring used and worn American flags, Monday during the Legion’s Flag Day ceremonies at the Kauai Veterans Center.

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Harvey Maeda, vice commander of American Legion, Post 54, Kapaa, is ready to load the fire poles with more American flags for retirement, Monday during the Legion’s Flag Day ceremonies at the Kauai Veterans Center.

Dennis Fujimoto/The Garden Island

Blaze Batoon and Maceo Cantu of Boy Scout Troop 148 keep an eye on the flames retiring used and worn American flags, Monday during the American Legion, Post 54, Kapaa’s Flag Day ceremonies at the Kauai Veterans Center.

Dennis Fujimoto/The Garden Island

American Legion, Post 54 Chaplain Jim Jung watches as Paula Schultz helps Girl Scouts with the proper way to fold an American flag, Monday during the Legoin’s Flag Day ceremonies at the Kauai Veterans Center.

Dennis Fujimoto/The Garden Island

Robin Sanchez, commander of American Legion, Post 54, Kapaa, watches as Boy Scouts from Troop 148 monitor the barrels retiring used and worn American flags, Monday during its Flag Day ceremonies at the Kauai Veterans Center.

LIHUE — There is a special depository for used, worn, and tattered American flags.

“You don’t just throw it in the trash,” said Robin Sanchez, commander of the American Legion, Post 54, Kapaa. “Our chaplain, Jim Jung created this box several years ago where people can deposit their old flags as long as the gates to the Kauai Veterans Center is open.”

The flags are stored until Flag Day, June 14, when the American Legion retires the flags.

“I’m here because Mel is in Washington, D.C. with the mayor,” Patsy Rapozo said Monday at the Kauai Veterans Center.

Her husband, Mel Rapozo, is chair of the Kauai County Council and part of the American Legion.

“I’m here bringing in old flags from the county,” Patsy said. “But now that I’m here, this is very interesting.”

The American Legion, Post 54, hosts the retiring of unserviceable flags as part of its mission similar to hosting a Missing in Action Veteran and Prisoners of War protocol ahead of its gathering Monday that included Boy Scouts being joined for the first time by Girl Scouts and representatives of the Pacific Missile Range Facility at Mana.

“This is so good to have the young people,” said American Legion Adjutant Johnette Chun. “If we had to do it ourselves, we’d be here forever.”

Jung explained the retiring of flags with dignity.

“When faded, worn, tattered, or torn, our flags must be retired from further service with respect and dignity,” Jung said. “The proper retirement of such flags is one of the missions of the American Legion, a volunteer civilian organization of veterans who have served our country in all branches of the military.”

Jung said when our country’s enemies burn the flag, it is done with disrespect, evil intent, and hatred.

“When we burn our unserviceable flags, it is done with respect, pure intent and love of our country,” Jung said. “This distinction must be recognized by all. It is all about attitude. Our ceremonious retirement of unserviceable flags is done with dignity as when we cremate our loved ones on their deaths.”

The Flag Retirement Ceremony is conducted as prescribed by the American Legion Manual of Ceremonies with the assistance of the Boy Scouts.

“It is very heart-warming to see the numbers of young people increase each year,” Jung said.

In addition to the retirement, Jung leads a session on flag protocol, its history, and symbolism.

“The American flag is the emblem of our great country,” Sanchez said. “It is a precious symbol of our ideals of justice, freedom and democracy. When on display at public functions, we pledge our allegiance to demonstrate our respect and devotion. We honor it at the start of sporting events by singing the Star-Spangled Banner. On Flag Day, we honor not only the flag, but freedom — Flag Day is America Day.”

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