On June 20, 2015, the
last day of Flag Week, Alice Robinson, Regent of the Abraham Baldwin Chapter
NSDAR, welcomed everyone and thanked them for taking time to honor our USA Flag
with a proper retirement. Wendy Quinn, DAR Chapter Chaplain, gave the opening
invocation. The Carroll County Veterans Memorial Park President, Donald Levans
shared information about the Park and the new Park Extension – which explains
why sand piles are present but grass is not! The History of Flag Day was
presented by George Wheeless, President of the Casimir Pulaski Chapter NSSAR.
The Retirement
Ceremony was given by Larry Boswell, Chaplain of the American Legion Post
143. The flag to be burned today was used
to cover the casket of a veteran, who had no family and the flag was given to
the Legion.
DAR Regent Alice
Robinson presented this flag to the American Legion Honor Guard Ron Knowles and
he passed it to SAR member Jim Swinson – they saluted the flag as it was passed
from one to the other. The flag was then
taken to the Flag Pole with the American Legion Honor Guard escorting with their
rifles.
Jimmie Hosey (DAR)
and George Wheeless (SAR) were already positioned at the Flag Pole. They attached the flag to the rope. Larry Boswell said, “This one flag has been
selected to respect all flags. It will
now be raised for the last time.” Pictured: Wayne Driver, Jim Swinson, and
Ronnie Pate.
Every one attending
stood while the Flag was raised and the Bugler plays “To the Colors.” Larry
Boswell continued with comments about the Flag.
The Flag was lowered as the Bugler plays “Retreat.” Pictured: George
Wheeless and Jimmie Hosey with Bugler to the right. The Flag was double-folded. SAR Honor Guard (one on
each end) carried the Flag to the burn area escorted by the American Legion
Honor Guard. Upon reaching the burn area the Flag was handed off to the five
member team (DAR members Martha Stapler, Susie Cooley, Jan Marlow, Gwyn Chesnut,
and Wendy Quinn with Violette Denney cutting the stripes) and it was held so all
attendees could see.
The Pledge of
Allegiance was led by Tina Clune, DAR. The Flag was now held horizontally by the five member team and SAR Jim Swinson stepped
forward and saluted the Flag. As Larry went through his script the flag was cut by Violette Denney into strips and SAR Honor Guard, Jim Swinson, took each stripe to
the burn pit and hands it to Ron Knowles.
With each stripe, Ron Saluted Jim and Jim returned the Salute. The American Legion Honor Guard riflemen were
on each side of Ron.
The Field of Blue was
burned last. With all attendees standing Ron received the Field of Blue and the
Bugler played “Taps.”
Near the end of Taps
Ron Knowles placed the Field of Blue into the Fire. Larry Boswell makes his
final remarks about the retirement of the Flag.
Alice Robinson
presented the new flag to be raised over the park. This flag was flown over the U. S. Capitol and
secured for the Park by Congressman Lynn Westmoreland. Jim Swinson, George
Wheeless, and Jimmie Hosey assembled back at the Flag Pole. Ron Knowles carried the new Flag to the Flag Pole with the Legion Honor Guard (rifle) escort.
The new Flag was raised over the Carroll County Veterans
Memorial Park – THE Million Dollar Park!
Pictured in the back
are Jim Swinson and George Wheeless – SAR
Pictured in the front
are Wendy Quinn, Jan Marlow, Tina Clune, Alice Robinson, Violette Denney, Linda
Mears, Susie Cooley, Martha Stapler, Jimmie Hosey, and Gwyn Chesnut - DAR
