Flag retirement ceremony planned for April 14

MADISON – American Legion, Post 229 in Madison will host a flag retirement ceremony on April 14.

The ceremony will be held at American Legion’s Madison City Veteran Park at the corner of Church and Front streets in downtown Madison at 11 a.m.

Other organizations assisting in the procedures for retiring the flags will be American Legion posts 176, 229 and 237 (Rifle Team); Knights of Columbus, Huntsville Chapter; and Disabled American Veterans or DAV.

“We are hoping the Boys Scouts, Troop 201 and the Girl Scouts, Troop 926 will take part,” Post 229 Commander Carlos Woods said. “A walk-through is planned for March 30 at 4:30 p.m. in Madison City Veterans Park.”

For responsibilities during the ceremony, Post 229 will light a large, intense fire at the beginning of the ceremony. The fire will be large enough to completely destroy all of the flags.

Post 229 will light the fires in three standard-size pits to burn flags. “We cannot damage the lawn. Kerosene will be used to help with the burning,” Woods said.

Madison Post 229 Adjutant Larry Vannoy will secure a fire permit and act as liaison with Madison Police Department for crowd control. Other Post 229 volunteers include Earl Watts, tables and chairs, and Leondra Kelley, refreshments.

After Woods welcomes the audience, the Drill and Rifle Team with American Legion Post 237 will enter. Post 237 will provide a bugler to play “Taps” and a public address system.

Knights of Columbus will provide music and print programs. Assisted by Scout troops, members of Knights of Columbus will fold flags, raise/lower flags and recommend change to drill and rifle team. Bill McGahey with Post 229 will lead the ceremony in preparing flags for disposal.

For more information, call Andy Haq at 256-503-3542 or email anwarulhaq@att.net, or call Carlos Woods at 256-508-6548 or email woodscarlos12@gmail.com